DIMAPUR, JUL 24 (NPN): Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), in coordination with District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), district administrations and line departments, has intensified relief operations across the state, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) evacuating 148 stranded passengers from road-isolated districts and airlifting essential relief supplies.
In a press release, NSDMA said the ongoing monsoon had severely disrupted road connectivity to Mon and Longleng districts, prompting the authority to requisition IAF assistance for evacuating stranded passengers and transporting relief materials. A state government helicopter, requisitioned through the Nagaland State Transport (NST), also supplemented the evacuation efforts.
On July 23 and 24, it said IAF aircraft evacuated 148 passengers, including 43 from Mon district and 105 from Longleng district, while the state helicopter airlifted an additional 41 passengers from Mon. Those evacuated included students and Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) combined educational services examination aspirants stranded due to road disruptions.
The relief consignments transported by air included food supplies arranged by NSDMA through the department of food and civil supplies, medical kits, clothing contributed by the Konyak Students’ Union, Kohima, and additional relief materials mobilised through the DonateKart Foundation. NSDMA said the air operations would continue as required.
To strengthen relief efforts, a mini truck carrying relief supplies was dispatched from Mokokchung to Tuli, followed by a second consignment. Relief materials were also delivered to Patizung Ward for onward distribution, while ration assistance was provided to stranded and displaced families in Changtongya.
Meanwhile, District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) continued to extend financial assistance to affected families. DDMA Wokha disbursed emergency relief fund (ERF) assistance to families whose houses and retaining walls were damaged by landslides.
In Shamator, deputy commissioner and DDMA chairman Arikumba handed over immediate relief assistance to two families whose houses were damaged by landslides in Shamator town.
Similarly, DDMA Zunheboto provided ERF assistance to five families affected by recent landslides. The relief was distributed by Deputy Commissioner and DDMA chairman Dharam Raj.
NSDMA also informed that it had released financial assistance to all districts for road and debris clearance in disaster-affected areas.
The authority said it continued to monitor the evolving monsoon situation in coordination with DDMAs, SDRF, line departments and local administrations, while prioritising damage assessment, relief distribution, restoration of essential services and road clearance to ensure timely assistance to affected communities.
