An overview of Nagaland’s population, geography and principal disaster risks for preparedness planning.
More than four-fifths of Nagaland’s population lives in villages, traditionally divided into khels or quarters with their own local administration. Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung are the principal urban centres identified in the official state profile.
The demographic figures above are drawn from Census 2011 and are displayed with their reference year to avoid presenting historical census data as a current estimate.
Nagaland lies in the hills and mountains of northeastern India, bordered by Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Myanmar. Elevation rises from the Brahmaputra valley towards the Patkai Range, reaching its highest point at Mount Saramati.
The Doyang, Dikhu and Barak river systems drain deeply dissected terrain. Annual rainfall is concentrated during the southwest monsoon from May to September, increasing the risk of slope failure, erosion and transport disruption.
Nagaland lies in Seismic Zone V, a very high damage-risk zone shaped by the region’s active tectonic setting.
Safety guidance →Steep slopes, fractured rock and intense monsoon rainfall make landslides a recurring threat to settlements and road networks.
Safety guidance →Low-lying areas adjoining Assam and urban areas of Dimapur have experienced flooding, erosion and infrastructure disruption.
Safety guidance →Structural, settlement and forest fires remain significant recurring hazards across the state.
Safety guidance →Windstorms, hailstorms and heavy rainfall regularly damage homes, crops, utilities and transport links.
Periods of rainfall shortage can affect paddy cultivation, water availability and rural livelihoods.