Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, AUGUST 24
The landslide situation at Phesama along National Highway-29 is said to be deteriorating and by late Monday evening, more than 45 families are reported to have been displaced.
While the number of people being displaced is increasing with the affected area fuelled by the incessant rains, is growing every day, the state government is yet to announce any relief for the displaced. The slide is gradually said to be claiming not only the highway but some portions of the village area and 15-20 houses were damaged. The displaced families are being sheltered by relatives and other villagers.
The minister for Roads & Bridges (PWD), Y Vikheho Swu reportedly rushed to assess the affected area on Monday, accompanied by commissioner & secretary PWD Housing, Himato Zhimomi, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police Kohima, and Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) officials. However, the legislator in charge of National Highways is yet to visit the site or convey , it was reported.
“This road (NH-29) being the main lifeline connecting two states (Manipur and Nagaland), and with the conditions deteriorating day by day, the state government at this point needs to mobilize necessary aid,” says Medo Yhokha, the president of Angami Youth Organization, who was helping out in the emergency operations with the Phesama youth volunteers today.
“Many people and organizations are giving their best to help but it is sad to note that more than 10 houses were damaged this morning…. We are fighting with a natural disaster, so we need prayer support as well in these trying times,” appeals another youth leader.
Meanwhile, the Phesama Village Council (PVC) has, in a release today stated that, at this juncture of unforeseen and unpreventable natural calamity that has befallen on the village, the village is in a state of great confusion. However, the council acknowledged the state government particularly the district administration, disaster management and police force who have been standing by the villagers monitoring the situation. PVC also acknowledged the different organisations, individuals, volunteers from St. Joseph’s College, Japfü Christian college, St. Paul School and neighbouring villages have also put in their best effort in extending support to shoulder our burdens together both physically and financially till date.
SASU announces temporary accommodation for students
In the wake of the landslide on NH-29 cutting off all vehicular passage southward, the Southern Angami Students Union (SASU) has today informed all the day scholars of St. Joseph’s College from Kohima that accommodation will be provided for those who want to stay temporarily at Jakha town and Viswema village. For further information, interested students have been requested to contact the following by Wednesday -- 8575191481 (Kelethuzo Yosa, President, Jakhama Students’ Union), 8014800748 (Vibozoto Yiene, President, Jakha Town Hostel Union), 9436642764 (Nokhrul Vitsu, Vice President, Viswema Students’ Union), 9612848573 (Vikekul Sothu, Educational & Statistical Secretary, Viswema Students’ Union). For the students of Japfü Christian College, accommodation will be provided by Kigwema village and for further information regarding this, students have been requested to contact 9856468252.
This was stated in a press release issued by SASU vice president, Lhoushevikho Lhoushe and information & publicity secretary, Vizovoto Yhoshü.
