Severe Flooding in Nagaland Leads to Casualties and Disruptions

Impact of Recent Flooding in Nagaland

Kohima, July 7: The recent heavy rainfall in Nagaland has resulted in the tragic loss of three lives, the suspension of flight operations, and significant disruptions to traffic on National Highway 29 due to widespread flooding.

In Dimapur, floodwaters inundated homes, leading to the electrocution of three individuals, including a woman. Residents were seen navigating through water that reached chest height, according to officials on Monday.

These unfortunate events took place over the weekend in areas such as Burma Camp and Kuda Village.

Flight services at Dimapur Airport were halted on Sunday after the runway and parking zones were submerged, as confirmed by an official from the Airport Authority of India.

Numerous flights, including those operated by IndiGo and Air India Express, were cancelled, prompting passengers to check directly with airlines for updates.

National Highway 29, which links Dimapur and Kohima, suffered extensive damage due to landslides caused by the heavy rains, severely hampering vehicular traffic and endangering commuters.

The districts of Dimapur, Kohima, and Niuland were particularly hard-hit, with reports of submerged bridges and significant destruction to homes, fisheries, and agricultural fields, raising concerns about potential food shortages.

In Niuland, around 70 villages have been impacted by the flooding.

In Half-Nagarjan, floodwaters reached heights of three feet, compelling residents to utilize boats and swim to safety.

Authorities reported that 52 individuals were rescued from the most affected areas during ongoing evacuation efforts.

"The absence of fresh rainfall since last night has allowed water levels to slowly decrease. However, officials remain vigilant as more rain is anticipated in the upcoming days," stated Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur.

The Deputy Commissioner also mentioned that a coordination meeting will be held by local administration and the District Disaster Management Authority to evaluate the situation, as the IMD has predicted heavy rainfall for the week ahead.

With the monsoon rains continuing to impact the region, state authorities and disaster management teams are on high alert, urging residents to steer clear of flood-prone areas and stay cautious.