Morung Express News
Kiphire | August 8
Even as Kiphire district continue to reel under the destruction caused by this year’s monsoon, communities and individuals in a display of humanity have been rallying to aid the disaster victims.
Among the many taking personal initiative to help those in need, the notable service rendered by the Deputy Commissioner of Phek district has earned the respect of the public in particular.
Communities and individuals from Kiphire district and Meluri sub- division have lauded the initiative taken by DC Phek, Orenthung Lotha in restoring the highway stretch at 8km and bypass at 5km in between Kiphire-Meluri road which has already helped hundreds of students and patients to gain access to the outside world.
An official from Meluri district administration disclosed how DC Phek arrived along with one excavator from PWD (R&B) Phek to assess the site and ended up stationed at the landslide area near Akhegwo for two days clearing the road after which he also directed the officers to do whatever is possible from the available resources and give daily report.
True to the words that community works best against natural disaster, the official from the Meluri district administration also mentioned the willingness of the Meluri village council in extending all possible help even to the point of fresh cutting of road as an alternative. Land owners under whose area the road has to pass, without a quibble, agreed to contribute their land for the common good of the public, the official stated.
The Village Guards (VG) of Meluri sub-division have also been lending their valuable service in every way possible, for instance, loading and unloading of essential commodities from one transport vehicle to another from different pick up points. The VGs load the essential commodities in shaktiman trucks and drop them off till the National Highway from where trucks from Kiphire would transport the commodities to the final destination.
The landslide along NH 202 has not only hit Kiphire district but also 2/3 of Meluri sub-division and the area is also undergoing untold suffering and there is urgent need to air drop essential commodities, the official further revealed.
Meanwhile, the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) expressed gratitude for the voluntary service rendered by the Meluri village council, the Meluri youth organisation, Pochuri Hoho and the district administration Phek and Meluri.
It also expressed gratitude to the Kiphire district administration led by ADC & SDO (c) for taking stock of the situation and ensuring that there was no shortage of essential commodities. The USLP further expressed gratitude to the Chief Engineer, NPWD for visiting the site and also the EE Kiphire division, NPWD & team for monitoring the work at the blockade side and speeding up the work.
So far, the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) has helped supply 1000 bags of rice to the district in the past few days.
The NSDMA in collaboration with the Indian Air Force (IAF), Ministry of Defence, the Director Airport Authority of India (AAI), Dimapur has so far accomplished 19 sorties in seven locations across the state out of which 13 has been successful.
On August 8, 2018, while dropping essential commodities in Seyochung sub-division and Kiphire HQ, the IAF choppers also evacuated 14 patients, attendants and AR personnel from Kiphire HQ and Seyochung sub division. Depending on the situation the emergency operations shall continue, a press release issued by NSDMA stated.
It also expressed sincere appreciation to all the agencies such as, the IAF, the Director, AAI, Dimapur, the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) for putting their best to contain the crisis.
