Kohima, May 26 (NNN): Fifteen people including five children and four women were killed and many injured in massive landslides which was perhaps the worst natural disaster to have struck Nagaland in recent time.

The landslides occurred at Mokokchung town and destroyed a number of houses.

Official sources informed Newmai News Network today that a series of massive landslides struck in the wee hours today catching everyone in their beds.

The landslides were triggered by the heavy rains that lashed Mokokchung throughout the night.

While thirteen were found dead buried in the mud, two succumbed to injuries, sources said.

�Even as the people got buried in sand and mud and walls collapsed, there was little that the neighbours could do as the rains lashed the town throughout the night�, the source said adding, �It was only around 5 in the morning that the sky cleared a bit and people could go in for rescue operations, rushing to the spots.

But most were found dead�, he said.

Immediate rescue works were greatly hampered due to the heavy rains and the corpses could be extricated from the mud only after the skies cleared at dawn.

While most houses in the slide areas have been totally destroyed, communication and power remained intact.

However, some of the roads leading to the National Highway-39 have been blocked, the sources said.

Among the deceased were seven Nagas and an equal number of non-locals, mostly labourers, sources said adding the five injured, all admitted in the hospital, are out of danger.

The slides occurred at Alongmeren, Tongdengtsuyong and IOC wards.

Meanwhile, in the rest of Mokokchung district too, reports of heavy rains are coming in and the Government has asked for a report within seven days on the extent of the damage caused by the slides.

Following the news of the disaster, the Civil Administration, police, CRPF, Assam Rifles and other NGOs and the citizens swarmed the slide areas and helped in the rescue work.

Upon hearing the news, Home Minister Thenucho, Opposition Leader I.Imkong, MLAs from Mokokchung district and senior officials of the State Govt also rushed to Mokokchung.

Meanwhile, the State Govt has reportedly announced ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 25,000 each to the injured.

At a meeting held at the Town Hall later, Opposition Leader I Imkong attributed the slides to poor construction and drainage system in the town and strongly recommended that these be addressed at the earliest, the source said adding he thanked the Government for taking the step of extending Rs 1 lakh to the relatives of the deceased.

Thenucho has, meanwhile, termed the disaster as an alarm bell for the people.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who is at present in New Delhi has expressed shock.

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