Nagaland landslide kills two brothers in Mokokchung, mother hospitalised
Synopsis
Two student brothers from Tuensang district died when a hillside collapsed on their rented home in Mokokchung at 12.40 am on 29 July — the latest fatalities in a week-long monsoon crisis that has cut off entire districts, stranded hundreds, and forced the IAF into large-scale aerial relief operations across Nagaland.
Key Takeaways
Muwalong Sangtam , 19 , and Thridiba Sangtam , 16 , were killed when a landslide struck their rented house in Upper Penli Ward, Mokokchung , at 12.40 am on 29 July .
Both were students of Queen Mary Higher Secondary School, Mokokchung , originally from Alisophur village, Tuensang district .
Their mother sustained injuries and was admitted to Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital, Mokokchung .
Heavy monsoon rains have disrupted road connectivity across Nagaland for more than a week, with links to Mon and Longleng districts still severed.
The IAF has evacuated more than 300 stranded civilians and airlifted relief supplies to cut-off districts in coordination with the Nagaland government .
Two brothers were killed and their mother injured after a landslide struck their rented house in Upper Penli Ward, Mokokchung town, Nagaland, at around 12.40 am on Wednesday, 29 July, officials said. The hillside collapse, triggered by relentless monsoon rainfall, has added to a week of cascading disaster across the state.
Who the victims were
The deceased were identified as Muwalong Sangtam, 19, a Class XII student, and Thridiba Sangtam, 16, a Class XI student — both enrolled at Queen Mary Higher Secondary School (QMHSS), Mokokchung. The brothers were originally from Alisophur village under Tuensang district and had been staying in the rented house in Mokokchung for their studies.
Their mother, who sustained injuries in the same incident, was admitted to Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital in Mokokchung and was undergoing treatment, according to officials.
How the landslide unfolded
Residents said continuous rainfall since midnight caused the hillside to give way, severely damaging the house where the family was sheltering. A State Disaster Management Department official confirmed the timing and location of the collapse. The mortal remains of the two brothers were subsequently transported to their native village of Alisophur, where village elders, family members, well-wishers, and members of the Sangtam community gathered to receive them and pay their final respects. Both brothers were laid to rest in their native village.
Wider monsoon crisis in Nagaland
The deaths come amid a broader disaster unfolding across Nagaland. For more than a week, heavy to very heavy monsoon rainfall has triggered multiple landslides, disrupted road connectivity, and inundated vast stretches across several districts. Officials said road communication to a number of districts had remained severely affected, with links to Mon and Longleng districts still snapped as of Wednesday.
The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) said the state government intensified its disaster response, requisitioning Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft to evacuate stranded passengers and airlift essential relief supplies to cut-off areas. A state government helicopter was also deployed to supplement the effort.
Relief and rescue operations
The IAF, operating in close coordination with the Nagaland government, has so far safely evacuated more than 300 stranded civilians from different locations across the state. Essential relief materials have been airlifted to remote districts where damaged road networks have severed ground access. Officials indicated that operations were continuing as rains persisted and further landslide risk remained elevated.
Condolences have poured in from across the region for the bereaved family, as the tragedy deepens the human toll of what has become one of Nagaland's most disruptive monsoon seasons in recent memory.
Point of View
But the fact that entire districts lose road connectivity every July points to a structural failure in road resilience planning. Until Nagaland's infrastructure investment matches its landslide risk profile, the human cost will keep mounting with each monsoon.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the two brothers killed in the Mokokchung landslide?
The victims were Muwalong Sangtam , 19, a Class XII student, and Thridiba Sangtam , 16, a Class XI student — both from Alisophur village in Tuensang district and enrolled at Queen Mary Higher Secondary School, Mokokchung. They were staying in a rented house in Mokokchung when the landslide struck.
When and where did the Nagaland landslide occur?
The landslide struck Upper Penli Ward in Mokokchung town, Nagaland, at approximately 12.40 am on Wednesday, 29 July, according to State Disaster Management Department officials. Continuous rainfall since midnight was cited as the trigger.
What is the current condition of the brothers' mother?
The brothers' mother sustained injuries in the landslide and was admitted to Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital in Mokokchung, where she was undergoing treatment as of Wednesday.
How widespread is the monsoon disaster in Nagaland?
Heavy to very heavy monsoon rainfall has been battering Nagaland for more than a week, triggering multiple landslides, severing road links to several districts including Mon and Longleng, and inundating large areas. The NSDMA has intensified disaster response operations across the state.
What relief operations are under way in Nagaland?
The Indian Air Force, in coordination with the Nagaland government, has evacuated more than 300 stranded civilians and airlifted essential relief supplies to remote districts cut off by damaged roads. A state government helicopter has also been deployed to supplement the aerial relief effort.
