Heavy rain triggers landslide in Nagaland, four confirmed dead

At least eight people, including children, are feared dead after a landslide triggered by heavy rain struck Nagaland's Mon district on Saturday, officials said.

Mon Deputy Commissioner Wennyei Konyak said four bodies had been recovered from the debris, while search and rescue operations were continuing.

"Eight people are feared dead. We have been able to retrieve four bodies from the debris, and massive search and rescue operations are going on in the area," Konyak told NDTV.

The landslide washed away several houses and triggered flash floods in the area. Rescue efforts have been hampered by a large volume of water flowing into the affected site, with authorities searching for people feared trapped under the debris.

Personnel from the police, Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers are engaged in the rescue operation.

The Nagaland government expressed grief over the incident and said it was closely monitoring the situation arising from extreme weather across the state.

Apart from Mon district, Tuli subdivision in Mokokchung district and other areas have also been affected by landslides, flash floods, road blockages, and damage to public infrastructure and private property.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 74,000 for the injured.

The state government has directed all departments concerned to remain on alert and urged people to avoid vulnerable slopes, riverbanks and landslide-prone areas.