Hands over ex-gratia of Rs 4 L to each of next of kin of three electrocuted victims
Staff Reporter
Following the recent torrential downpour that triggered flash floods in various parts of Dimapur, advisor for Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Z Nyusietho Nyuthe, accompanied by state chief secretary, Dr. J. Alam and other officials carried out an extensive inspection of flood-affected areas on Wednesday.
The team, which also included deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, commissioner of police, K. Sophie, NSDMA joint CEO, Johnny Ruangmei, DDMA officials, and others, inspected various locations including Olive Hospital Junction, Burma Camp, Dhansiri Bridge, Walford relief camp, Vilhume Colony, and Kuda Village.
Briefing the media at DC office, chief secretary Dr. Alam described the situation as “almost like a disaster” and said Nagaland experienced unprecedented spell of rainfall over the past four-five days.
Alam informed that Dimapur alone recorded 95.5 mm of rainfall on July 4, 92.4 mm on July 5, 76.5 mm on July 6, and 122 mm on July 7, amounting to nearly 400 mm in just four days. Comparing data to previous years, the chief secretary said Dimapur received only 474 mm of rain during June–July 2023 and just 219 mm in 2024. However, he said Dimapur already recorded about 661 mm this year in July alone.
He said that such heavy rainfall within a short span had not been witnessed in recent years, with average daily rainfall typically not exceeding 20 mm.
Considering the situation, the chief secretary said that he along with the advisor travelled to Dimapur to take stock of the situation.
Alam also said that the team inspected the entire NH-29 stretch of Kohima-Dimapur road and expressed concern over some portions of stretch.
The chief secretary assured that the team would return to Kohima and deliberate with the responsible departments to address the situation effectively.
Meanwhile, advisor NSDMA, Nyuthe maintained that the scale of damage could have been mitigated had timely action been taken, particularly in clearing clogged drains.
Asserting that many drains were too narrow to handle current volumes, the advisor stressed the urgent need for extension, given the rise of population.
Advisor also maintained that garbage disposal into drains and encroachment worsened the situation.
Lamenting lack of maintaining civic cleanliness among the people, the advisor urged colony and village councils to play proactive role in sensitizing residents and managing drainage systems.
Responding to queries on steps to be taken against land encroachment, the chief secretary said that survey was currently underway and disclosed that the government, once completed, would be in a better position to act accordingly.
Citing the successful evacuation of encroached land around Dimapur Airport due to cooperation from the community, the chief secretary appealed for similar support.
On the allocation of funds for flood mitigation and management, he said data was currently not available, but assured that the responsible department would provide data.
NSDMA joint CEO, Johnny Ruangmei, clarified that flood relief funds were allocated as per ministry of home affairs (MHA) guidelines.
He also explained that disaster assistance was divided into two categories—loss and damage, adding that relief comes as a small assistance to mitigate the loss, while for damage, mainly infrastructural, does not come under NSDMA, and goes to another concerned department.
Giving update on flood affected victims in Dimapur, DC Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, informed that so far, there were no reports of homes being completely washed away in Dimapur. DC, however, said that assessments were underway and full report would be submitted to state government.
Chang said that 914 stranded individuals were successfully rescued, and relief camps have been set up in several strategic locations.
Meanwhile, at Kuda Village Council Hall, advisor Nyuthe handed over an ex-gratia amount of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of three individuals who lost their lives due to electrocution during the floods.