Joint Chief Executive Officer of the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Johnny Ruangmei on Wednesday said the widespread landslides and flash floods across Nagaland were triggered by a cloudburst event during July 19 and 20.

He stated that the NSDMA had issued an SMS-based weather alert on the evening of July 18, warning all districts about the impending severe weather.

According to the NSDMA, rainfall recorded on July 19 placed almost all districts under the red alert category. Mon district recorded 130 mm of rainfall, while Mokokchung received 126 mm, among the highest in the state.

The heavy rainfall severely affected not only Mon but also neighbouring districts including Longleng, Tuensang, Kiphire and Mokokchung. Tuli town in Mokokchung district experienced extensive flash flooding, which officials said was one of the worst in many years.

The impact of the rainfall extended beyond Nagaland, with adjoining areas of Assam also witnessing severe flooding. The official noted that the Chief Minister of Assam was visiting flood-affected districts bordering Mon and Mokokchung, adding that the heavy rainfall in Nagaland had contributed to the flooding downstream in Assam.

Ruangmei said based on preliminary assessments for the July 19–20 weather event, the NSDMA estimated that approximately 12,865 families have been affected across the state. He said the figure is based on daily situational reports received from all districts and may increase as more information becomes available.

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The Joint CEO said the state government has been regularly relaying disaster updates to the Integrated Control Room of the Ministry of Home Affairs under the National Disaster Management framework.

He confirmed that nine people lost their lives in a landslide in Mon district, while one person died in a flash flood. Four people were rescued, although several other weather-related incidents were reported across the state. He noted that almost every district in Nagaland has been impacted by the recent extreme weather events.

Ruangmei said the Nagaland Government, under the direction of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, immediately sanctioned ₹70 lakh for Mon district, covering emergency relief and ex gratia assistance. During his visit to Mon on July 20, the Chief Minister also announced an additional ₹10 lakh to support the operational expenses of civil society organisations, health workers and community volunteers involved in relief work.

He added that relief assistance has not been limited to Mon district. Financial support has also been extended to other affected districts. In Mokokchung district, the District Disaster Management Authority has already begun distributing relief to families affected by the flash floods in Tuli using funds provided by the NSDMA.

He said the disaster has severely disrupted road connectivity, electricity and telecommunications, particularly in Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Tuensang and Mokokchung. Longleng remains cut off due to damaged roads, while communication networks in Mon and Longleng have been significantly affected. The NSDMA has taken up the matter with the Department of Telecommunications, seeking priority restoration of communication services and additional backup support for telecom towers in the affected areas.

Airlifting of stranded aspirants from Mon & Longleng being explored

He also highlighted the plight of students stranded in Mon and Longleng who are unable to travel for the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) Combined Entrance Examination scheduled for by the end of July.

He said the NSDMA is coordinating with the state’s helicopter service and has also approached the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Air Force to assist in airlifting stranded candidates, particularly from Mon and Longleng, to ensure they are able to appear for the examinations.