Even years later, the 2018 Nagaland floods remain a stark reminder of how disaster-hit North-Eastern states continue to struggle for national attention and relief.

Nagaland Floods – A Plea For Help Remains Unheard

While the nation is now moving towards “who-did-what-wrong” conversations about the Kerala Floods, there is a whole another part of India that we need to focus on. The North-Eastern states are in dire condition due to the floods there. Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has requested for a helping hand to overcome the havoc caused by the rains this year. Apart from Nagaland, Assam and some regions of Shillong are fighting the water flooding their livelihood.

In Assam, rivers Brahmaputra, Dhansiri and Jia Bharali are causing the catastrophe in Dhemaji and Golaghat villages. At least 50 people have died in the floods and landslides this year alone. Relief camps have been set up for the affected people as around 100 houses have been eroded in the disaster. According to the latest flood report by Assam State Disaster Management Authority, 355.63 Hectares of Crop area has been destroyed so far.

The Chinese government shared information about the rising water in Tsangpo river (River Siang in India) and the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh was on flood alert since. The water level in Tsangpo hasn’t risen this much in the last 50 years. Indian Airforce and other rescue teams are in action with their teams airlifting people stranded on islands. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has camped in the state prepared and ready. They have rescued almost 200 citizens by Friday.

Nagaland Remains Stranded In Chaos

The situation in Nagaland is much worse than others. Continuous rain, floods and landslides have caused at least 12 lives and made thousands homeless there. Relief camps have been set-up all along the state.  Half Dozen NDRF teams have been sent off for rescue operations in Nagaland, as per the home ministry records.

The state government has requested the Centre for an immediate aid of 219 crores and are expecting for more after the expected visit by the inter-ministerial from Ministry of Home Affairs scheduled this week. The total damage in the state so far is 800 crores.  Though the amount of rain received is comparatively less than the previous years, the intensity of the rains is what caused this havoc.  Damaged roads are the major crisis here. Landslides disestablished connectivity to many of the villages and made it hard for the rescue workers. One of the worst-hit districts, Kiphere, which situates in our border with Myanmar, has lost its connection to other parts of Nagaland by road, which made it nearly impossible to bring provisions to them. However, alternative methods including airdropping have been used to provide basic necessities.

In Meghalaya also, an alert has been issued West Garo Hills, North Garo Hills and Southwest Garo Hills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the Nagaland floods in 2018?

Heavy monsoon rains triggered catastrophic flooding across North-Eastern states including Nagaland, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. The water level in Tsangpo river (River Siang in India) rose to unprecedented levels not seen in 50 years, causing widespread destruction of homes and crops.

How many people died in the Nagaland and Assam floods?

At least 50 people died in floods and landslides across Assam and Nagaland in 2018. The NDRF and Indian Airforce rescued nearly 200 citizens, while relief camps were established for thousands of affected families displaced from their homes.

Which rivers caused flooding in Assam during the 2018 disaster?

The Brahmaputra, Dhansiri, and Jia Bharali rivers overflowed their banks, causing severe flooding in Dhemaji and Golaghat villages. Around 100 houses were completely eroded, and 355.63 hectares of crop area was destroyed according to Assam State Disaster Management Authority.

Did Nagaland receive national aid for flood relief?

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio requested central government assistance for flood relief, yet the state remained largely neglected compared to Kerala floods that received significant national media coverage and aid at the same time in 2018.

Why was the 2018 North-East floods less covered than Kerala floods?

Media attention and national discourse focused heavily on Kerala floods while North-Eastern states like Nagaland faced worse conditions with minimal coverage. This disparity highlighted how disaster-hit regions in the North-East often remain neglected in national disaster response priorities.