Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, AUG 27 (NPN): The District Transport Office (DTO) building at Post Office Ward, Tuensang town collapsed Thursday around 8am following days of incessant rainfall and continued ground subsidence in the area.
No casualties were reported as the building and nearby residences had been evacuated after authorities declared the structure unsafe last month.
Speaking to Nagaland Post over the phone, the deputy commissioner (DC) Tuensang, Lithrongla Tongpi Rusta, said the district administration had inspected the site on July 23 and found severe structural instability, along with sinking of the surrounding land.
Following the inspection, the administration declared the building unsafe and ordered emergency measures to reduce the load on the structure, including the demolition of the top floor and portions of the walls.
However, the building was subsequently considered too dangerous not only for public access but also for workers engaged in demolition and other safety operations. DTO office and residences in the immediate vicinity were vacated by July 24, Rusta said. The ground at the site continued to sink, with earlier assessments indicating subsidence of around six to eight inches a day.
Following the identification of the danger, SDRF and traffic personnel were deployed round the clock to secure the area and prevent people from entering the vulnerable zone. The building eventually collapsed Thursday morning amid continued rainfall and ground subsidence. Because of the precautionary evacuation and safety measures taken earlier, no loss of life or injury was reported.