Dimapur, July 20 (MExN): Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Khekiho Zhimomi today appealed to the Centre to “rescue” Nagaland, affected by short rainfall this year. In the parliament today, Zhimomi sought “short term” relief measures as well as “long term” measures which spelled on irrigation development.
“The situation is alarming and intervention of the central government is absolutely necessary for providing relief and rehabilitation of the drought-affected people of the state,” Zhimomi said in his speech, a copy of which was received here today. The “Short-term” measures which the MP sought are immediate relief for the affected while the “long term” measures are “irrigation facilities, bore well etc.” These have to be given priority to prevent “such situations in future,” the MP said.
The MP explained to the parliament that the current monsoon season has brought the lowest ever rainfall for the state, affecting paddy cultivation. The ‘drought-like’ situation has impacted agriculture crops alongside reports of pest and insect infestations, Zhimomi said. “Against an average rainfall of 750.50 mm normally received during the period from January to July 15, only 471.50 mm of rainfall has been received this year, indicating a deficit of 278.32 mm, 37.10 %,” Zhimomi stated in his speech. The shortfall has affected 25% of ‘jhum’ cultivation and 50% of wet cultivations, he explained further. “Many have lost their livelihood because agriculture activities have come to a standstill due to lack of enough fodder, the livestock are also dying; crops have failed and a possible famine and shortage of food are looming over the state,” Zhimomi asserted in his plea.
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