Post-flood cleanup in Zunheboto reveals civic resource crunch

Morung Express News 
Zunheboto | May 14

Following the public concern and complaints over severe waterlogging in parts of Zunheboto town after Tuesday’s rainfall, the Zunheboto Town Council (ZTC) on May 14 undertook an extensive early morning cleanup drive of clogged drainage systems across the town.

ZTC officials stated that the recurring drainage issue is being worsened by the lack of machinery and manpower in the district. According to the officials, the council currently does not possess its own equipment for large-scale drainage maintenance.

“The Disaster Management Department and Urban Development Department have not provided machinery to our district to maintain such issues. Even the JCB machine currently being used is hired from a private owner, and we do not know how we are going to move forward during the peak rainy season,” the officials said.

They further reported that the Urban Development Department in Zunheboto is severely understaffed, stating that there is only one Junior Engineer (JE) and one Assistant Engineer posted in the district, while there is no Urban Development Officer in Zunheboto.

The officials appealed to the concerned departments to provide necessary machinery and manpower so that similar situations can be prevented in the future. At the same time, they urged the public to cooperate in maintaining cleanliness and practice civic responsibility by refraining from dumping waste into drainage systems.

Collective failure of public and administration 
Meanwhile, the issue has triggered public reactions, with many residents pointing towards both public negligence and administrative shortcomings as contributing factors behind the flooding.

One resident opined that despite the availability of drainage facilities and municipal waste collection services, many people continue to irresponsibly dump garbage into drains, causing blockages.

“To avoid such incidents, shop owners should also take responsibility for cleaning the surroundings of their shops from time to time rather than depending solely on ZTC,” the resident stated.

Another citizen remarked that the flooding near the HKY area has remained an unresolved issue for years. “This is my incredible Zunheboto. I have seen the same HKY flood since my higher secondary days. Even ZTC should learn from the good examples set by the Mokokchung Municipal Council,” he commented, while also questioning the effectiveness of parking tax fee collection if drainage maintenance continues to suffer.

Some residents emphasised that sanitation and town development require collective effort and accountable leadership. “The responsibility of a town councillor is not only to hold a position but to work sincerely for the growth and development of the community. More focus should be given to roads, sanitation, public facilities, youth opportunities, and overall welfare,” another concerned citizen stated.

Others highlighted the need for better civic sense among the public, noting that indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste, bottles, chips packets, and even tobacco sachets into drains continues to worsen the situation.

“A clean and developed town is not only the responsibility of the government or ZTC but every citizen must cooperate and contribute,” another resident remarked.

Some citizens also suggested organizing sanitation awareness campaigns involving churches, schools, civil society organizations, and the administration to educate the public on proper waste management practices.

“Sanitation is not only the duty of authorities but also our Christian responsibility,” one resident said, suggesting sanitation week programmes in collaboration with churches and schools.

Another resident bluntly remarked, “Flood on a mountain? Embarrassing. This is not nature’s fault but poor drainage systems and indiscriminate dumping of waste.”

Apart from drainage concerns, some residents also raised questions over the deteriorating road conditions in the town, particularly the stretch between Zunheboto Government College and the main town area. “What is happening between Zunheboto Government College and Town? Big question,” a resident questioned.