Govt making efforts to reach essentials commodities to Meluri, Pungro areas
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 2 (MExN): Kiphire district has become inaccessible to the rest of state after all the roads leading to the district were completely cut off in multiple locations owing to incessant rains.
A situational report received from the Nagaland Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) said it has already received SOS from Kiphire district and efforts were on the air drop essential commodities.
As per the report, the Kiphire to Tuensang road remains blocked near Yahi Bridge which would need a week to clear. The Kiphire to Zuhneboto road have no bridge over Tutha River as it was washed away few years back. Another heavy landslide has blocked the road in between Seyochung town and Sitimi town.
Kiphire to Kohima road has washed away or is blocked in various locations- road blocked near Akash Bridge; Landslide in 3 kms from Meluri, Landslide in 15 kms from Meluri, Road completely washed away in 8 kms from Meluri. Furthermore, Kiphire to Seyochung via Amahator road is also blocked, the NSDMA stated.
Meanwhile, the Government on Thursday said it was making all out efforts to reach essential commodities including petroleum products to Kiphire and Pungro area which have been completely cut off during the massive landslides and sinking of portions of roads leading to the district from both Meluri and Tuensang.
According to a DIPR report quoting the district administration, Kiphire has food-stock to last for a couple of days and rationing has been imposed for both food and petroleum products.
The Home department has tied up with the Central Ministry of Home Affairs for air lifting essential commodities to the cut off areas but this operation is hampered by inclement weather and is on standby at present. Department of Food & Civil Supplies are also geared up and has prepared the food grains for transport as and when the air lifting is feasible, the DIPR report stated.
Meanwhile, the officers from the district administration of both Kiphire and Meluri are said to be camped at the spot where a large section of the road has sunk 8 kms from Meluri side. With the help of volunteers a temporary transit camps has been constructed for facilitating manual carriage of essential commodities across the affected area from where trucks can be utilised to transport the goods to Kiphire.
Few goods laden trucks are already reported to be stationed at Meluri while oil tankers are already on their way negotiating via Mao gate towards Meluri with dobashi as guides. More essential commodities are expected to reach Meluri soon, the DIPR report stated.
Volunteers of Association of Off-Road Nagaland with specialised light and medium vehicles have left Kohima on Thursday morning in route Meluri to assist in the lifting of essential commodities and petrol/diesel. The officials and volunteers at the side are on standby to guide and assist the off roaders in their humanitarian venture.
While the relief and humanitarian works are in full swing, massive restoration works of the affected highways and districts roads are continuing all over the state. All available machineries and manpower along with volunteers are hard at work overtime in all affected areas.
The IG, Assam Rifles has also loaned their two JCB excavators and bulldozer to assist in the restoration works. Trucks and excavators of the various government departments besides the NPWD have all been pressed into service to mitigate and manage this unprecedented natural disaster, the DIPR report said.
Schedule for Air dropping of essential commodities
DIMAPUR AUGUST 2 (MExN): The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home Department has informed the following districts that Air dropping of essential commodities by the Eastern Air Command (IAF) will tentatively be held on August 3, 2018 as per the following schedule: 1. Peren district – Air dropping will be done at Tening and 36 AR Coy Camp, Peren. 2. Mon district – Air dropping will be done at Tobu. 3. Kiphire district- Air dropping will be done at Kiphire Hq & Pungro. 4. Tuensang district – Air dropping will be done at Noklak & Noksen. The operation will begin at 9:30am subject to weather conditions.
