• 12 dead, 532 villages & 48821 families affected
• Rs 800 cr required immediately for restoration
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 1 (MExN): Unprecedented series of disaster, mostly landslides and floods triggered by extreme weather condition this monsoon in the state has left a trial of tragedy and devastation in the wake.
As per the assessment of damage inflicted since the beginning of monsoon carried out by the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home Department, 12 lives have been lost, 532 villages and 48821 families affected and 2,61,115 population, which is 13.19% of the total population, bore the brunt.
The State capital, Kohima and particularly the districts of Tuensang, Kiphire and Phek were most severely affected. The three districts were cut off from the rest of the State for about 15 days since the rains became incessant from July 2. About 359 locations of roads have been totally cut off sending the State into a SoS situation, the NSDMA stated.
Even though the monsoon rains caused havoc all over the State, two incidents caused major alarm. In Wokha district, the water level at Doyang Hydro Electric Project (DHEP) started rising above the normal level EI.324.30M limit on July 27, 2018. This, according to the Manager of the Dam & Spillway Division, was due to incessant rain in the upstream catchment area of the DHEP. This resulted in discharge of a huge volume of water thereby affecting the villages in the downstream of Wokha district and around 64 villages in Assam.
In Phek district, on July 27, owing to incessant rains, a major landslip caused a huge amount of debris to clog the Sidzu River. An artificial dam was formed stretching to more than 1 km creating fear that it may burst any moment causing massive damage to the downstream villages both in Nagaland and Assam. The State Disaster Response Force was pressed into duty; however, the area was declared safe on the July 31 after the water started spilling out in small amounts lessening the pressure on the artificial dam.
Many National and State Highways have been cut off and many district connectivity roads have become un-motorable. Road communication and connectivity have been adversely impacted and even the NH 29 that connects to Manipur has been severely affected. The impact of the unprecedented monsoon has had far reaching economic consequences as the Government grapples with shortage of essential goods and price rise in the far flung areas of the State, the NSDMA stated.
In the wake of the disaster, the NSDMA stated that the State Government has been putting in all efforts to contain the crisis, even enlisting the assistance of the central government and its various agencies like, Indian Paramilitary and Military Forces, Indian Air Force and National Disaster Response Force.
Due to the unprecedented disaster, there is lack of essential commodities in the districts of kiphire, Tobu, Tuensang, Satoi under Zunheboto district and Pkek Meluri block. Large scale of destruction to agriculture crops, cattle and domestic animals and damage of houses have been reported. Incessant rain and landslide also affected the agriculture sector by 5408.57 acres.
Immediate needs
Immediate needs emerging out of the disaster include providing essential commodities for the affected districts; immediate restoration of road infrastructure severely damaged by the landslide in 557 locations. Immediate rebuilding of fully, severely, partially damaged houses numbering to 48, 821 houses with shelter material support. The State Government has estimated that it requires an amount of Rs 800 crores immediately for the restoration of the damages caused by landslides and flash flood, the NSDMA report stated.
PM promises all support
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and took stock of the flood situation, assuring him of all support. "Spoke to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and took stock of the situation in the wake of floods in parts of the state. Assured all possible support to the state in the rescue and relief operations. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Nagaland and pray for everyone's wellbeing," Modi tweeted.
