DUCCF warns of flood risk over fund delay

With the monsoon season fast approaching, the Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) has expressed serious concern over the delay in the release of funds for drainage desilting and clearance, warning that several areas in the town were at high risk of flooding.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of a programme here on Thursday, DUCCF president Zasivikho Zakiesato said that a drainage committee constituted under the district administration– comprising civil society organisations including Naga Council Dimapur and Gaon Buras– had completed its assessment and submitted detailed reports as early as January this year to the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority through the Dimapur District Disaster Management Authority.
He informed that all necessary documents, including identification of flood-prone colonies, have already been prepared and submitted. Questioning the inordinate delay in fund release, Zasivikho asked, “Are we waiting to get flooded?” and urged the responsible authorities to release the funds immediately before the situation worsens.
Zasivikho pointed out that drains across Dimapur were heavily clogged, mainly due to indiscriminate dumping of waste by residents.
He identified Medical Colony, United Colony, Kuda Village, Imkonglenden, and Niu Colony as particularly vulnerable to flooding.
Zasivikho appealed to the state government and NSDMA to urgently release the earmarked funds so drainage clearance work could commence under the supervision of the district administration.
He acknowledged the continuous efforts being made by the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) and its workers, but stressed that their efforts alone were not sufficient without active public cooperation. He urged colony councils, GBs, and residents to strictly stop the practice of dumping waste into drains, stating that this remained the primary cause of clogging and subsequent flooding.
Emphasising on collective responsibility, Zasivikho lamented that while DMC was often blamed for poor sanitation, citizens and local leaders must also take ownership and play an active role in maintaining cleanliness and enforcing waste management norms.
On the issue of solid waste management, he raised concerns about the dumping ground, noting that operations were currently restricted following directions from the National Green Tribunal.
He also questioned the status of an alleged Rs. 9 crore sanction for a waste segregation plant, saying that despite the allocation, the facility was yet to become operational. “If implemented properly, the waste segregation plant could have generated employment and significantly reduced the volume of waste,” he added.
Zasivikho expressed hope that with timely intervention, better coordination between departments, and stricter enforcement at the colony level, Dimapur could effectively manage flooding and sanitation issues during the upcoming monsoon season.