July 07 (Siliguri Chronicle) – Heavy rainfall over the past few days has triggered severe flooding across Nagaland, leading to the death of three people, suspension of flight operations, and disruption of traffic on National Highway 29, officials said on Monday.
According to authorities, the three victims — including a woman — died of electrocution in their homes in Dimapur after floodwaters entered residential areas. Visuals from the area showed people wading through chest-deep water as low-lying localities remained submerged.
The tragic incidents took place over the weekend in Burma Camp and Kuda Village, officials said.
Flight operations at Dimapur Airport were completely suspended on Sunday after heavy rain flooded the runway and parking area, an official from the Airports Authority of India said.
Multiple flights, including those operated by IndiGo and Air India Express, were cancelled, and passengers were advised to check directly with the airlines for updates, the official added.
National Highway 29, which connects Dimapur with Kohima, was also badly affected by the heavy rain. Landslides triggered by the downpour blocked several sections of the four-lane highway, severely disrupting traffic and putting commuters at risk, officials said.
The districts of Dimapur, Kohima, and Niuland were among the worst hit. Reports indicated submerged bridges and significant damage to homes, fisheries, and paddy fields, raising concerns about possible food shortages.
In Niuland district alone, around 70 villages have been affected by the floods.
In Dimapur’s Half-Nagarjan area, floodwaters rose up to three feet, forcing residents to use boats and even swim to move around.
District authorities said that 52 people were rescued from heavily flooded areas during ongoing evacuation efforts.
“No fresh rainfall since last night has helped water levels to recede gradually. However, officials are still on alert as more rain is expected in the coming days,” Dimapur Deputy Commissioner Dr. Tinojongshi Chang told PTI.
The Deputy Commissioner also said that the local administration and the District Disaster Management Authority will hold a coordination meeting during the day to assess the situation, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall for the week.
With monsoon rain continuing to lash the region, state authorities and disaster management teams remain on high alert. Citizens have been advised to stay away from flood-prone areas and remain cautious.
