Kohima, July 30: A devastating landslide in Nagaland has resulted in the tragic deaths of two brothers, while their mother sustained injuries. This incident occurred early Wednesday morning in the Upper Penli Ward of Mokokchung, as a section of a hill collapsed onto their rented home amid heavy monsoon rains.
According to officials from the state disaster management department, the landslide struck around 12:40 AM. The deceased have been identified as 19-year-old Muwalong Sangtam and 16-year-old Thridiba Sangtam, both students at Queen Mary Higher Secondary School in Mokokchung, enrolled in the 12th and 11th grades, respectively. They hailed from Alisofur village in Tuensang district.
Their mother has been admitted to Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital for treatment. Local residents reported that the continuous heavy rainfall since midnight caused a significant portion of the hill to slide, severely damaging the family’s rented accommodation. Following the incident, the brothers’ bodies were transported back to their ancestral village, Alisofur, where they were mourned by elders, relatives, well-wishers, and members of the Sangtam community. Their final rites were conducted in their home village.
The region is currently engulfed in grief, with various organizations and individuals expressing condolences to the bereaved family. Nagaland has been experiencing heavy to extremely heavy rainfall for the past week, leading to disrupted road connectivity in several districts, frequent landslides, and flooding in low-lying areas, severely impacting daily life.
Officials indicated that many roads have been closed for over a week due to landslides and flooding, causing significant hardships for residents. In response to the state government’s request, the Indian Air Force has been conducting ongoing relief and rescue operations. So far, over 300 stranded individuals have been safely evacuated from different parts of the state. Additionally, essential relief supplies are being airlifted to remote areas cut off due to broken road connectivity.
The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority has reported that, in light of the ongoing landslides caused by monsoon rains, the state government has intensified its disaster relief efforts. Road connectivity in the Mon and Longleng districts remains disrupted. The Indian Air Force aircraft, along with state government helicopters, have been deployed to deliver relief materials and rescue stranded individuals.
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