Flash flood injures infant and disrupts Mangkolemba water supply as windstorm and mudslide damage parts of Wokha
MOKOKCHUNG/WOKHA — Incessant rain caused fresh damage in parts of Nagaland, with a flash flood inundating parts of Mangkolemba town in Mokokchung district, injuring a seven-month-old child and disrupting the town’s main water supply, while a windstorm and mudslide caused damage in Wokha district.
In Mangkolemba, a flash flood swept through parts of the town at around 11 pm on Friday, damaging houses and roads and severing the main water supply pipeline.
Tzutayong Ward was among the worst-affected areas, with several houses and properties damaged by floodwaters and debris.
According to Alemtoshi, councillor of Tzutayong Ward under Mangkolemba Town Council (MTC), the town received heavy rainfall in the morning, followed by another downpour at around 5.30 pm and a further spell around 10 pm that lasted for more than two hours.
Debris washed down from the hills partially blocked the main drainage at Misa Meyong, below New Model College, causing water to overflow into the surrounding areas.
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Stones and other debris from the river covered a stretch of more than 100 feet near the Higher Secondary School road. Several houses suffered damage to their walls, while toilets and septic tanks were also destroyed.
A retaining wall collapsed while a mother and her child were resting on a bed, injuring both. The infant’s condition reportedly worsened, prompting the family to take the child to Dimapur for further treatment on Saturday morning.
The additional deputy commissioner-led administration, along with the MTC, inspected the affected areas following the incident.
Volunteers from all nine wards, led by ward authorities, subsequently worked to clear the blocked drainage at Misa Meyong and remove debris from the road.
The full extent of the damage was still being assessed.
The flash flood has also severely affected the town’s water supply. L Bendangtemsu, Sub-Divisional Officer of PHED, Mangkolemba Sub-Division, said the main pipelines had been washed away, while water sources were buried under mudslides caused by continuous rain.
The department said efforts were underway to restore the water supply and appealed to residents to bear with the disruption and cooperate until the lines are repaired.
Meanwhile, travellers have been advised to use the alternate Mangkolemba–Mongchen via Sector-1 route as clearance work continues on the Mongchen–Mangkolemba road.
An excavator has been deployed at the 6.7-km point on the road. A similar flash flood hit Mangkolemba four years ago, submerging a labour camp and damaging roads and vehicles.
In Wokha district, a severe windstorm struck Lakhuti village on Friday night, damaging electric wires and leaving the area without power.
The storm also uprooted trees and bamboo, prompting villagers to seek urgent intervention to restore electricity and ensure public safety. No casualties were reported.
Separately, a mudslide damaged a house in Bhandari town on September 11. The residence of Thungchio Patton was partially destroyed, although no casualties were reported.
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