Monsoon preparedness: CM Rio directs stock check

• 

  
  

• Neiphiu Rio addressing a meeting on monsoon preparedness in Kohima on Tuesday.

• 
  

• DIMAPUR — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday chaired a meeting on monsoon preparedness at the CM conference hall, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima.
• 
  
• In his address, he chief minister, who is also the chairman of Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), asked the department concerned to make an assessment of essential commodities across the districts before the monsoon season sets in.
• 
  
• Rio emphasised that any complaints regarding shortages of essential commodities from villages or towns should be reported for prompt address, a DIPR report stated.

Also read: Nagaland to experience heavy rainfall till May 26

• 
  
• He also instructed the Food & Civil Supplies department to monitor fair price shops to ensure protection of consumer rights.
• 
  
• Raising concerns on traffic advisories along various routes in the state, he directed the PWD department to specify and monitor truck weight limits on national highways during the monsoon season.
• 
  
• He also instructed the administration and police department to deploy teams of officers and ‘dobashis’ for routine road checks to ensure smooth traffic flow in towns and national highways during the monsoon season.
• 
  
• Additionally, the chief minister shared his views and concerns on restoring the State Quality Control Board in Nagaland at the earliest.
• 
  
• Further, he directed the chief secretary to hold a virtual conference with all deputy commissioners to review the status of essential commodities and preparedness across districts.
• 
  
• Roads and Bridges Minister G Kaito Aye, who also shared his views on road sector, stressed the need for resilient roads and urged the NHIDCL to take responsibility and deliver quality infrastructure for Nagaland.
• 
  
• The minister also requested the Disaster Management department to allocate a specific fund for emergency response, which can be utilised by any department to ensure public welfare during the monsoon season.
•  
  
• Kaito urged the NHIDCL and relevant departments to identify areas needing immediate repair and implement effective restoration strategies. He also requested the Mechanical department to provide an update on available machinery for the monsoon season.
•  
  
• Minister for PHED, Jacob Zhimomi, also shared that the soil condition of Nagaland is very watery, therefore strict protocols have to be followed and mandatory soil testing done during road construction.
•  
  
• The minister told the NHIDCL to instruct the contractors to follow strict protocols during road construction for durability and sustainability. Zhimomi also advised the contractors that once the surface work is completed they should not leave any residues on the road.
• 
  
• Joint Chief Executive Officer, NSDMA, Johnny Ruangmei, in his power point presentation on ‘Monsoon 2025 forecasting for Nagaland,’ said that distribution of rainfall pattern across the state will be “un-uniform and erratic,” which will impact crop plantation season.
• 
  
• Ruangmei said that a proactive disaster risk reduction approach combined with preparedness, data-driven planning and community engagement can significantly reduce potential risks.
• 
  
• Presentations were made by various departments, including PWD (R&B) and NHIDCL on monsoon preparedness and road infrastructure resilience, HG, CD& SDRF/NDRF on emergency response preparedness, Health & Family Welfare on health personnel and infrastructure readiness, and Food & Civil Supplies on essential commodities and preparedness.
•  
  
• Another monsoon preparedness meeting on May 21
• 
  
• Meanwhile, another monsoon preparedness meeting under the chairmanship of the chief secretary and chairman SEC, NSDMA, will be held on May 21 at 2 pm in the Chief Secretary's Conference Hall, Kohima.
• 
  
• The following departments have been requested to attend the meeting: Commissioner, Home Commissioner, Director General of Police, Commissioner & Secretary (Works & Housing), Commissioner & Secretary, (H&FW), Commissioner & Secretary (F&CS), Chief Engineer, NH (NPWD), Chief Engineer, R&B (NPWD).
  
• 
  
• All the deputy commissioners and chairmen of DDMAs have been requested to join the meeting along with district head of departments through video conferencing.