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Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio during his visit to one of the flood-affected areas in Dimapur on Sunday.[/caption]
Chief minister visits affected areas; INR 10 lakh released for immediate relief; missing persons reported
Our Reporter
Dimapur, Oct. 27 (EMN): Widespread flooding caused by incessant rains over the past few days have left hundreds, if not thousands, of people homeless in Dimapur—and at least one person dead.
According to the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), the cyclonic circulation over West Assam area in lower levels of the atmosphere and moisture incursion over the Bay of Bengal had caused thunderstorm accompanied with lightening over the North East India.
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From top to bottom: A view of Dhansiri River at the Old Dhansiri Bridge (under-construction) near Urban Haat; residents take shelter on the roof after floodwaters inundated their houses; another view of houses submerged by flood in one of the localities of Dimapur on Sunday.[/caption]
In an update issued on Sunday, the agency informed that 'Nagaland received a total rainfall of 809.75 mm (during the last 36 hours), recorded as per NSDMA weather system on October 26, which caused flood situation in the lowland districts, especially Dimapur'.
The villages/localities ‘severely affected’ by the flood include Tuolazouma, Bade, Tsithrongse, Seluophe, Naharbari, Darogajan, Domokhia, Purana Bazaar B, Purana Bazaar Model Colony, Khushiabil, Siethekema Basa, Thahekhu, Imkonglenden, Kuhuboto, Khopanala, Sangtamtila and Urra Colony.
The DDMA, Dimapur along with State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Home Guard and Civil Defence Dimapur, Paramilitary (5th AR) conducted search and rescue operation across the affected villages of the district.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also the chairman of NSDMA, visited the flood-affected colonies and villages including Naharbari, Darogajan and Ekhyo Yan on Sunday to assess the situation. He was accompanied by the advisor to NSDMA Kazheto Kinimi; DC Dimapur, Kevekha Kevin Zehol; and EAC Chumukedima, Thejavizo Nakhro.
The chief minister assured all possible help and support from the government and further directed the DC to take immediate actions, to reach out to the affected families.
Rio also handed over INR 10 lakh to the deputy commissioner, who is also the chairman of DDMA Dimapur, to be given to the people as immediate relief in the affected areas.
The NSDMA also informed that the search and rescue team had managed to rescue 131 people from three different locations in Dimapur; and retrieved the dead body of a woman below New Dhansiri Bridge.
It was also reported that one person in Urra village was swept away by the water; despite searching for the whole day, the rescue team was yet to find him.
Talking to the media persons, the VDB secretary of Naharbari, Hukato Assumi said the Naharbari Village Council (NVC) has been tackling the misfortune since 2.30 am of October 27.
He stated the NVC was doing its best to take care and provide shelter to the affected families; and had set up a relief camp at the community hall to provide immediate relief.
Assumi stated the flood has affected all the three wards of Naharbari in which approximately 450-500 households along with Government High School Naharbari, have been affected. According to him, 10 houses have been completely swept away by the flood.
The secretary of Toulazouma Village Council (TVC), Muluto Venuh stated a total of 68 households had been affected by the flood in the village.
Venuh said the TVC has set up three relief camps at different locations accordingly, so as to provide first aid and shelter to the affected families.
He also said the council has not received any financial aid from the state government so far. However, the government has assured financial assistance to the affected families, he added.
The heavy incessant rainfall over the last three days has devastated many parts of Dimapur resulting in the overwhelming increase of water level originating from the Dhansiri River— inundating and sweeping away many houses, livestock, assets and property.
Thousands of people have been left stranded in the cold winter without proper shelter, in a state of chaos, confusion and panic.
