Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JUL 20 (NPN): Incessant rainfall in the last many days has caused major landslides and flood across Nagaland. Several bridges across Dimapur district has either collapsed or washed away by flood water while several roads and areas were inundated due to overflowing of water from drainages. Other parts of the state have been hit by major landslides which has cut off many roads and left many homeless.
Respective District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) under Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) along with civil society organisations, village bodies, para military and others have come out to assist the affected persons across Nagaland.
KGPO urges govt
for hanging bridge
Hanging Bridge across the Chathe River, between Henivi and Semaguri village, which connects 18 villages under Kuhuboto block with Dimapur town, was washed away following heavy rainfall on July 19 at around 4 p.m.
In this connection, Kuhuboto Ghakhu Public Organisation (KGPO) has asked state government to construct a bridge in replacement of Henivi/Semaguri hanging bridge at the earliest for immediate rehabilitation of the people living in the area.
In a press note, KGPO president, Ghoshito Shohe and general secretary, Z. Ato, pointed out that the hanging bridge was constructed by the villagers since many years back and has been used as main lifeline to Dimapur by villages like Henivi, Khughovi, Lotivi etc.
It informed that the bridge also leads to a prayer centre that has been catering service to every Naga. KGPO said without bridge could cause untold hardship to the people as it was the main route to Purana Bazaar, Dimapur.
TVC appeals assistance for flood affected people
Thahekhu Village Council (TVC) has appealed Dimapur district administration and Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority to immediately intervene and provide all necessary assistance to flood affected people within its jurisdiction.
In a press note, TVC chairman, I. Khekuto Yeptho, stated that due to incessant downpour on July 19-20, around 70 houses have been submerged under under water at Thahekhu Block 7 and their families displaced.
The council informed that Government Primary School, Thahekhu Block 7 has also been severely affected and the hanging bridge which connects Block 7 and Thahekhu village has been washed away while Timothy Theological College falling under Thahekhu Block 4 have also been affected.
Though loss of properties was yet to be assessed, TVC said unaccountable numbers of domestic animals have perished in the natural disaster while four vehicles have been submerged.
The council said its members visited the area and distributed some emergency relief to the affected people on Thursday and that EAC Dimapur has also visited the area.
While many of the families have shifted to homes of their relatives in other areas, some of those displaced have been housed at Fellowship Church, Block 7.
In view of the present disaster which has severely affected Thahekhu Block 7, TVC has appealed for immediate assistance.
Further, Thahekhu Village Council has also urged for immediate restoration of the washed away hanging bridge or has asked the concern authority to find other alternatives.
The council said with the bridge at Nagarjan also been affected and blocked, commuters have rapidly increased passing through Thahekhu village via Railway Crossing.
Stating that the particular route was in a pathetic condition with potholes all along, TVC has appealed the concerned authority to carry out improvement works along the route for the welfare of the people.
Flood relief camp at Naharbari , Dimapur
Naharbari Village Council members led by its chairperson, Tokheli Kikon and VDB secretary, Hutoka Assumi, along with the GBs and VCM have initiated flood relief camp for flood affected victims.
On July 19 evening, more than 500 households and around 3000 people have been affected by the flood.
EAC Chumukedima arrived at night at the affected area for assessment. After a brief meeting with the village council and GBs, temporary shelter at Village Council hall and old school building were arranged.
At the flood relief camp, basic food items have been provided to the victims. ‘’Further arrangements will be made after hearing from the concerned authorities.’’ Tokheli informed.
SASU visits Viswema landslide area
Southern Angami Students’ Union (SASU) conducted mass social on Thursday at Viswema landslide area wherein massive landslide had washed away portion of NH-29 on July 16. SASU along with Viswema village volunteers also rendered service to travellers. During the mass social work, SASU cleared up the pathways for commuters, assisted travellers and passerby to cross the affected area and also carried luggage of the travellers.
SASU president, Ketholeto Anthony Zashiimo, said the affected landslide area was the lifeline to many students and the commuters and added that the union takes it as their responsibility to help out and try to bring back normalcy.
SASU also has arranged two buses for the students to commute.
It may be mentioned that the landslide has affected seven schools and two colleges in the Southern region while travellers from Manipur have been severely affected. The travellers had to pass through the steep path covered with wet mud on the hill for about 20 minutes. A student from St. Joseph College Jakhama said that some students have taken permission from the college authority for two days to assist the people working at the landslide area.
Altogether 149 volunteers from SASU along with Jakhama Youth Organization and students of St. Joseph from Viswema and Khuzama assisted the work. According to SASU the road was likely to open for small vehicular movement by Friday if the weather was favourable.