Nagaland landslide: Sivasagar administration says no need to panic, Dikhow River flowing smoothly

A landslide reported upstream of the Dikhow River in Nagaland has prompted the Sivasagar district administration in Assam to alert residents living along downstream areas, even as officials said there was no immediate cause for panic and the river was flowing normally during ground verification on Thursday, October 1.

The landslide reportedly occurred between Yaongyimsen in Nagaland’s Mokokchung district and Yongshei in Longleng district, affecting a portion of the Dikhow River channel. The Sivasagar district administration has been in contact with the Longleng district administration and is monitoring the situation closely.

According to information shared by Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner, citing inputs from the Longleng district administration, a voice message circulating from the Longleng administration said that a report from the chairman of Yongshei indicated that around 80 per cent of the river had been blocked, with about 20 per cent of the water continuing to flow.

However, enquiries conducted in downstream villages did not indicate any unusual change in the river’s water flow or level.

Officials from the Sivasagar district administration also assessed the situation after visiting areas in Longleng and Mokokchung. A ground verification conducted on Thursday morning found the Dikhow River flowing smoothly, with no significant accumulation of silt observed at the site.

The Sivasagar administration is separately monitoring the situation at Bihubar, an area that has previously witnessed severe flooding. The water level of the Dikhow River at Bihubar was reported to be stable on Thursday.

The district administration has advised residents living in downstream riverine areas to remain alert until the situation is fully assessed. People have also been asked to immediately inform the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) if they notice any unusual rise in the river level, changes in water flow or other developments.

Officials said precautionary measures were being taken to ensure public safety while continuous monitoring of the river continues. Residents have been advised to follow instructions issued by the district administration and local authorities and rely on official channels for updates.

The Sivasagar District Emergency Operation Centre can be contacted at 84718-64355 or through the toll-free number 03772-1077.

The administration said regular updates on the Dikhow River’s water level would be issued as the situation develops.