# Nagaland miners reject blame for Assam flood devastation

2026-08-14T04:59:17+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

The Tuli Area Coal Mining Contractors’ Association has urged Assam and Nagaland residents to avoid blaming one State or community for the floods and landslips that killed at least 115 people between April and August 14, 2026. The association said exceptionally heavy rain in Nagaland on July 18 caused unusually high water flow and flash floods in four districts. It called for evidence-based assessment of several contributing factors. Conservationist Jadav Payeng, however, linked coal mining and stone quarrying in Nagaland to the Upper Assam floods, alleging that altered hills sent water directly towards the plains. He also questioned the timing of warnings and opposed reducing the Kaziranga Eco-Sensitive Zone from 10 km to 1 km. Assam’s wider assessment is still examining rainfall, tributaries and other factors.

## Coverage

- assamtribune.com <https://assamtribune.com/assam/payeng-links-nagaland-mining-to-upper-assam-floods-seeks-national-response-1615597>
- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assam/avoid-blame-game-on-assam-floods-says-nagaland-coal-miners-body/article71348721.ece>

Tags: Assam floods, human-elephant conflict, Jadav Payeng, Kaziranga, Nagaland mining
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