DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 1 (MExN): A report of a landslide allegedly blocking a major portion of the Dikhu River in Nagaland triggered concern in downstream Assam, following a voice message claiming that around 80% of the river had been blocked between Yongshei and Yaongyimsen villages in Longleng district.
According to a report published in Lamjai.in, the message claimed that only about 20% of the water was being discharged downstream, raising speculation that a sudden release of the blocked water could cause severe flooding in Assam. The Sivasagar district administration also circulated an alert on the night of September 30, the report stated.
The situation was subsequently clarified by Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi through a Facebook post. According to the Lamjai report, Gogoi said there was no reason to panic and that the Dikhu was flowing normally, based on the findings of a spot-verification team that visited the reported landslide area. Lamjai subsequently contacted the Yongshei Village Council and Village Development Board (VDB), whose members were involved in the spot verification.
Tenau Phom, secretary of Yongshei VDB, told Lamjai that the landslide occurred in a virgin forest around 5 km from Yongshei. He said the incident came to notice after fishermen observed it and added that the landslide had been continuing for about a week. Phom, however, said he could not identify the voice in the message circulated in Assam claiming that the river was 80% blocked and warning of a larger tragedy downstream.
Yongshei Village Council chairman Thingyang, who led a team to examine the site, also rejected the suggestion of an immediate danger to downstream areas in Nagaland and Assam, according to the report. "The landslide spot is near Yaongyimsen village, near to Yongshei where the Dikhu flows through a relatively plain terrain. The flow of water doesn’t look worrying," Thingyang reportedly stated. Thingyang also confirmed that the landslide had been continuing for about a week following spells of rain in the area. However, he said the situation in the near future could not be stated with certainty.
The report also highlighted a separate landslide in neighbouring Yongnyah village during July. According to Thingyang, the landslide blocked a small stream locally known as the Shepe River. "We could see the rise of water level," Thingyang reportedly said.
The report stated that the Shepe eventually joins the Dikhu River and has reportedly caused significant damage to agricultural land in Chingong village in previous years.
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