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The ongoing pre-monsoon rains, accompanied by thunderstorms and hailstorms, have wrecked havoc across Nagaland, damaging public infrastructure, bridges, houses and vegetation. As per an update from the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, a casualty was reported in Noklak due to a flash flood on April 20, besides more than a dozen landslides in various parts of the state. It should serve as a warning to the authorities as well as the public about the possibility of witnessing even worse situations when the actual monsoon arrives. The concerned department should start bracing themselves for any eventualities, as weather condition is not going to get any better in view of global warming. The best option to mitigate casualties and inconvenience is to be prepared well in advance and respond to situations swiftly. Are the authorities prepared for possible monsoon woes? Well, the state’s response to natural calamities has improved over the years, thanks to awareness programmes among officials as well as the public, but the main issues remain unsolved to this day.
Roads in the state, be it national highways, state highways or those connecting villages and towns, are prone to landslides and mudslides, especially during the rainy season. No doubt the topography makes the region more susceptible to landslides but much of it can be mitigated by building a good drainage system and adequate grading of slopes. In terms of monsoon woes faced by the people in urban areas, particularly Dimapur, the cause is multifaceted. It takes just a few hours of downpour to flood the commercial hub of Nagaland. It’s a recurring phenomenon but nothing much has been done to solve the issue. Knowing that the poor drainage system is one of the major reasons for the city to experience flood almost every year, the authorities have started constructing drains in some areas but it will take a long time to cover the whole city at the current pace. The general public is also not forthcoming in addressing the problem they face every year. Plastic waste littered by the citizens chokes the sewers, causing water-logging and floods in the city. The door-to-door waste collection service initiated by the municipal council has failed to stop citizens from littering open spaces, roadsides and drains. Land encroachment is another issue that needs to be addressed. This clearly shows that a multidimensional approach, including active community involvement, is imperative to avoid man-made disasters. The least the public can do is stop littering, while the government should chalk out short-term and long-term plans like desilting of drains before the rainy season, construction of a good drainage system, enhancement of waste management practices, etc. to mitigate monsoon woes. Preparedness is key to alleviating any emergency.