8 killed, houses swept away as massive landslide devastates Nagaland’s Mon district

A massive landslide triggered devastation in Nagaland’s Mon district, sweeping away several houses and killing at least eight people, officials said on Sunday.

According to officials, four bodies have been recovered so far while four more remains buried under the debris.

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A senior Nagaland disaster management official said that search and recovery operations are underway despite difficult weather conditions.

Authorities fear the death toll may rise as more people could be trapped beneath the rubble.

A Defence spokesperson said that around 15 houses in Mon Defence Colony were damaged by the landslide.

Personnel of the Assam Rifles, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Nagaland Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Army, district administration and local volunteers have launched an intensive rescue and relief operation in the affected area despite incessant rain and unstable ground conditions.

Expressing grief over the loss of lives, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced an ex gratia assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of deceased and Rs 74,000 to injured persons.

The government also announced that relief assistance, including food, temporary shelter, essential commodities and all other eligible support, would be provided to affected families across the impacted districts.

Apart from Mon district, the Tuli sub-division in Mokokchung district and several other areas have also witnessed severe impacts, including landslides, flash floods, road blockages and damage to public infrastructure and private property due to continuous heavy rainfall.