ROADS, BRIDGES, FARMLANDS ETC. DAMAGED ACROSS NAGALAND
Torrential rains that lashed several parts of the state on April 19 and 20 have caused widespread damage to properties, infrastructure and farmlands at various places while some districts have been cut off following widespread damage to road infrastructure.
Shamator district cut off: Shamator district was still cut off from the rest of the state as roads had been washed away by landslides and floods at several places.
According to DIPR, deputy commissioner Shamator Y Chingyak Konyak disclosed that the rainfall had left a trail of damage and destruction in the district, with 10 villages having been completely cut-off.
He said power and cellular connectivity had been severely affected, and scores of culverts and minor bridges had been washed away. He revealed that landslides and mudslides had blocked most roads connecting the district, with three major bridges– Langa (connecting Shamator headquarters and Tuensang), Muksuke (connecting Chessore sub-division with Tuensang) and Shipong (connecting Shamator headquarters with Mangko EAC circle) — being severely damaged and were on the verge of collapse.
While hundreds of terrace fields and fisheries had been damaged, DC said many vehicles returning from election duties were still stranded in various parts of the district. He said the District Disaster Management Authority was on the job, but lack of machineries and resources had severely impacted road clearance and other restorative works in the district. Further, around 300-400 paddy and jhum fields had been damaged, along with nearly 150 fishery ponds, in Chessore area of Shamator district.
Farmlands, irrigation projects damaged in Mkg (Correspondent): In Mokokchung, the rains damaged farmlands belonging to 182 families at Longsa village, Dikhu river valley.
Speaking to media persons, Tatar Bendang disclosed that all four water sources at Meremtsu were completely washed away, along with the multiple irrigation projects at Mesemsu, Ajakmuret, Merangneret, Alutemtem, Yimlu, and Waitzu Tamatai.
He said 18 fruit and vegetables farms were destroyed, while minor damage was caused to 31 farms. The destruction of water sources and multiple irrigation projects, along with damage to fruit and vegetables farms, fishery ponds, and potentially the famous Longsa chilly farming, indicated a major setback for the local economy, which could affect food security.
According to sources, the collapse of the multiple irrigation dam was the main source of the devastating consequences.
Travel advisory in Suruhoto sub-divn: Trongdipa Tongpi, sub-divisional officer (SDO) civil of Suruhoto sub-divisionunder Zunheboto district, has in a circular notified commuters travelling to Kohima and Dimapur via Zunheboto and vice versa, Tuensang and other districts of Eastern Nagaland that in view of road block between Lithsami and Yehemi villages due to heavy mudslides and landslides at many places, the road would be closed for all kinds of vehicles till further notice, the DIPR report said.
Road closure at Likimro bridge, Pungro
Pungro additional deputy commissioner Vekusheyi Rhakho has informed all concerned that the bridge at Likimro river below Salomi connecting Khongsa to Mimi area would be temporarily closed for urgent renovation from 8 am on April 23 to 30, or tillthe completion of the renovation work.
Public/vehicles commuting to or from Mimi area to Pungroand Khongsa headquarters have been advised to take the alternative route via New Vongti-Moya during the period.
In Niuland district, the April 20 torrential rain and storm ravaged many houses and rendered many families homeless. It also caused disruptions to power and communication lines, destroyed crops, resulted in water-logging, and uprooted trees across the area.
On Tuesday, DC and chairman DDMA Niuland Sara S. Jamir handed over emergency relief fund to the affected families.