DIMAPUR, MAY 18 (NPN): State chief secretary Sentiyanger Imchen on Monday inspected several flood-prone areas in Dimapur and East Dimapur ahead of the monsoon season and directed urgent measures to tackle recurring urban flooding, poor waste management and drainage congestion.
According to a DIPR report, the chief secretary along with officials from the district administration and line departments visited several areas including Nagarjan Police Point, Vilhume/S.M. Colony, East Block Burma Camp (Narkul Turning), DMC dumping area, Sunrise Colony and New Field Check Gate to assess the prevailing flood situation and recurring drainage issues alongside. Officials informed the chief secretary that clogged drains, plastic waste, encroachment along drainage channels and inadequate drainage infrastructure were among the major causes of flooding in the commercial hub.
Following the inspection, Imchen stressed the need for immediate waste segregation at the household level, improved solid waste management and stronger inter-departmental coordination during a review meeting on urban management and flood mitigation.
Expressing concern over mounting plastic waste in drainage systems, he directed installation of strainers across upstream nalas to prevent accumulation of debris and suggested similar safeguards in future drainage and check dam projects.
The chief secretary also raised concern over the existing dumping system, observing that the present dumping site was nearing saturation mainly due to the absence of waste segregation practices.
He said municipal bodies would be held directly responsible for solid waste management and called upon the municipal councils, civil society organisations and the Naga Council Dimapur to work collectively on sanitation, encroachment removal and waste disposal.
Imchen also expressed dissatisfaction over the state of municipal services, particularly poorly maintained garbage collection vehicles, and directed authorities to prioritise repairs and improve utilisation of available resources.
Further, he stressed the need to empower sanitation inspectors for strict enforcement of sanitation norms and called for intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns to promote behavioural change among citizens.
Meanwhile, deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur Dr. Tinojongshi Chang informed the chief secretary that a district-level preparedness and mitigation action plan involving all line departments, urban local bodies, ward authorities, GBs and community stakeholders had already been activated ahead of the monsoon.
He said vulnerable flood-prone areas and drainage choke points had been identified through joint inspections, while drainage clearance drives began on May 16 under the supervision of the Dimapur District Drainage Clearance Committee.
DC also said the Incident Response System (IRS) command structure used during mock drills and Operation Night Guard would be activated during any flash flood emergency, with response teams assigned for evacuation, rescue, relief and restoration work.
Departments including Health, PHED, Food & Civil Supplies, Power, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Services and the Dimapur Municipal Council have been kept on alert for immediate deployment during emergencies, he added.
