Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: Heavy rainfall hammered Dimapur on Saturday, August 8, triggering severe flash floods that forced the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to rescue nine people. Among those pulled to safety were two children and an elderly resident, including four students from a River Belt Colony hostel and five others trapped near Holy Cross School.
Tragedy struck in Diphuphar, where Imnamoa Longchar, a final-year BBA student at Tetso College in Chumoukedima, died of electrocution. Longchar was attempting to unplug an inverter after floodwater breached his home.
The deluge began around 1:00 am, sending massive amounts of runoff from upstream and hill catchments into the city. The pressure overwhelmed drainage systems, causing water levels to spike rapidly in just two to three hours. Officials reported that all scheduled flights at Dimapur Airport were cancelled because water flooded the runway. Chopper services and non-scheduled flights also ceased for the day.
DMC councillor I Sentinuklu Jamir pointed to systemic failures worsening the situation. "Encroachment is the main issue. Drains are becoming smaller and smaller. The population is increasing, and there is expansion everywhere, whereas the drainage streams are getting smaller," he said.
Authorities identified several high-risk zones, including SM Colony, Vilhume Colony, K Sachu Colony, Zeliangrong Colony, Purana Bazar B, Kuda Village Road, NST Colony, Industrial Estate Colony, Public Ground Colony, Nepali Basti, Niu Colony, Veterinary Colony, Rainbow Colony, Namgalong Colony, Ragialing Colony, Nesitauo Colony, and Medical Colony. Field assessments are ongoing, though a total count of displaced households remains unknown.
The India Meteorological Department warns that widespread rainfall will continue across Nagaland through August 14. The District Disaster Management Authority has urged residents to steer clear of electrical equipment and flooded infrastructure while the region remains on high alert.
Updated at 10th August 2026 at 1:47am
The District Disaster Management Authority confirmed the deluge surged through key drainage arteries, including the Hospital Nallah, Sugarmill Nallah, and Lengri Nallah, which buckled under the upstream runoff. While officials noted that past clearing operations helped capacity, the volume of water simply overwhelmed the network.
District officials have pushed local Colony Councils to maintain a direct line to emergency services. Councils in high-risk zones are now tasked with sounding the alarm immediately if evacuation or relief camps become necessary for trapped residents.
Forecasters expect the misery to continue. The India Meteorological Department warns of widespread rain, thunderstorms, and lightning across Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura through August 14. Expect isolated heavy downpours to keep the district on edge through the weekend.
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