Heavy Rains and Landslides Severely Disrupt NH-29, Isolate Villages in Nagaland

Kohima, Nagaland, September 15, 2025

Nagaland is grappling with the severe aftermath of relentless rainfall, which has triggered multiple landslides and mudslides across the state, most notably along the vital National Highway 29 (NH-29). The arterial road, which connects Dimapur, the state's commercial hub, to the capital city of Kohima, has been rendered non-motorable in several sections, particularly in the Chathe, Paglapahar, and New Chümoukedima areas. This disruption has not only brought vehicular movement to a halt but also raised significant concerns about the supply of essential goods and the mobility of residents. The continuous downpour has caused the Chathe River to swell beyond its danger mark, leading to the collapse of a suspension bridge that links Chümoukedima and Seithekema villages. This has effectively cut off road communication between the two communities, isolating them from the main road network. Furthermore, floodwaters have submerged a bailey bridge connecting Dubagaon and Khughovi villages, compounding the communication woes. The situation is dire for residents of low-lying areas in Dimapur town, where widespread inundation has caused considerable damage to property and severely disrupted daily life. In response to the crisis, the district administrations and police have issued urgent travel advisories. They are urging all travelers and transporters to exercise extreme caution and to follow a restricted schedule on alternate routes. The alternate route through Mhainamtsii-Pimla has also been affected by landslides, making travel even more precarious. The current state of NH-29 has sparked public outrage and highlighted long-standing concerns about the quality of road construction in the state, with many critics pointing to substandard work and a lack of proper geological and environmental impact studies. The ongoing weather-related calamities underscore the vulnerability of Nagaland's young, shale-based topography to natural disasters. With the monsoon season in full swing, authorities are on high alert, working to clear the debris and restore connectivity as quickly as possible. However, the scale of the damage suggests that full restoration will be a lengthy and challenging process, emphasizing the need for more resilient infrastructure planning in the future.