EMN
Dimapur, April 26
NSDMA and DDMA officials undertook a field assessment of the damage caused due to heavy rainfall, hailstorm and windstorm during the month of April 2016 in Mon district.
The preliminary damage assessment was made by W Honje Konyak, Deputy Commissioner, Mon; MA Shihab, ADC, Mon; Relise Sangtam, EAC (Sadar), Mon; Rendemo Shitio, SERO, NSDMA; W Shejeang, DPA, NSDMA; Bubu Patrick Golmei, DPA, NSDMA; and Kedigong, DPA, NSDMA.
It was observed that many inhabitants of Techahan Ward in Mon town were compelled to abandon their houses due to massive landslide following incessant rainfall. District administration had also issue an evacuation order. About 50 houses were damaged completely, while 150 houses were severely damaged and occupants were evacuated to some safe locations. One Government Primary School building located in the ward was also affected by landslide, posing danger to the school children.
A road culvert was also affected due to the erosion of land. The road connects Techahan Ward to Mon town.
As on April 23, vehicular movement on the road was halted as it posed threat to vehicles plying on this road. If preventive work is not undertaken immediately, it would further aggravate the condition and lead to complete cut-off of the area, the team observed.
Massive landslide had caused road blockage between 21 km, 25 km and 71 km of Tobu-Mon BRO road. In this connection, the Mon district administration is coordinating with the Border Road Organization for early restoration of the road. BRO had assured to clear the road at the earliest. Meanwhile, DC Mon directed Tobu administration to liaise with Tuensang administration for supply of essential commodities. No shortage of essential commodities was reported so far.
At new site in Mon town, three houses were severely damaged. Electric pole that connects the new site area and Upper Konyak areas was also damaged. However, the electric pole was replaced by Power department by the evening of April 23.
Due to flashflood caused by heavy downpour, residents of 10 houses in Tokubari in Mon town displaced. One house was severely damaged. Besides, a culvert on the road lead to Don Bosco School was choked resulting in flooding the roads which compelled the students to abstain their classes for a day. Temporary measures have been taken to restore the road, however, a proper restorative works needed to be undertaken at earliest to avoid further damage.
In Tanlao Ward, Mon town, a culvert was severely damaged and a bypass was created as a temporary measure for vehicles to pass. The culvert is located at a very strategic/ important road as it is the only lifeline which connects Mon town with the upper areas of Mon district like Aboi, Longching, Angjangyang, Mopong, Tobu and Sadar area villages of Totok and Chi area. Considering the importance of the road, it required proper restoration immediately.
In Monyakshu village, 10 houses were severely damaged, while three houses in Changlangshu village, ten houses in Wangti village, three houses in Wakching village, six houses in Phomching town and one Government Primary School in Shengha Chingnyu were damaged by rain and winds. About ten houses in Chaoha Chingnyu were also severely damaged and the only Guest House in Longwa village was damaged by windstorm. In Changlangshu- Changsa village, altogether 28 houses were completely damaged and three houses severely damaged by hailstorm. SDO(C) Monyakshu sub-division reported that 4 person were also injured by the hailstorm.
Massive hail storm in Ukha village completely damaged 40 houses while 260 houses were severely damaged. Three minors namely Moba Langphong (5 year), Shayan Langphong (7 year) and Neangpa (9 year) were severely injured by the hailstorm. The injured were shifted to Mon District Hospital and an immediate relief of Rs 5000 each was also given to them by DDMA, Mon.
In Tizit Sub-Division, it was observed that the area around the Tizit river faced a flood-like situation due to torrential downpour which led to rise of the water level by about 20 feet at an alarming rate. However, no loss of human life and damage to houses or properties was reported.
Apart from the huge damage to properties and infrastructures, there were also reports of damage to crops, plantations and paddy fields by hailstorm all over the district. Proper verification and assessment was yet to be undertaken, which would be made available in due course of time.
It was also observed that the incessant rainfall had caused a wide-spread damage in the district. Mud slips, damage to retaining walls, infrastructures, houses, road blockage, drainage blockage were reported from all over the district. Urgent and immediate restorative activities and preventive measures needed to be undertaken at earliest before the arrival of monsoon.
