Five people, including a 16-year-old, were killed and four others were missing after a series of devastating landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in Mon town in Nagaland on Sunday, officials said.
Mon Deputy Commissioner Winy Konyak confirmed that search and rescue teams have recovered five bodies so far, including the body of a 16-year-old youth. Konyak said four others were still missing. A 10-year-old child was among dozens of people injured in the landslides.
Officials said at least 45 houses were completely destroyed in the landslides that hit multiple locations across the city between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.
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A large-scale joint rescue operation is underway, involving the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Assam Rifles, local police and residents. An emergency relief camp has been set up at the Koniac Federation office to accommodate the displaced.
However, rescue and relief efforts are facing severe bottlenecks as Mon town remains completely isolated.
“The town of Mon, until now, is completely isolated,” Konyak said. “The roads leading to the district headquarters from Tizit and Naginimura are cut off due to floods in the two sub-regions; the road from Mokokchung cannot be taken due to the collapse of the link bridge.”
The only way to get to Mon is through Tuensang, which is much longer.
Prime Minister Neiphiu Rio announced ex gratia aid $4 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased $74,000 for the infected.
The state government said that basic goods, food and temporary shelter would be provided to all affected families. The administration urged citizens to remain vigilant, avoid vulnerable slopes and riverbanks, and rely strictly on official updates to prevent the spread of rumours.
According to an official statement, the state government is closely monitoring the situation as severe weather phenomena are hitting several parts of Nagaland. Apart from Mon, Tuli sub-district of Mokokchung district and other neighboring areas reported severe damage to public infrastructure and private property due to floods and landslides.
