Kohima/Itanagar: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday reviewed the flood situation across the state at a high level meeting with senior officials, including representatives of district administrations and the State Disaster Management Authority, as heavy monsoon rains continued to disrupt normal life.
Meanwhile, fresh flooding triggered by incessant rainfall inundated five districts of neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh during the past 24 hours. With the latest inundation, the ongoing monsoon has affected nearly 1.50 lakh people across the northeastern state, officials said.
In Nagaland, the death toll in flash floods and landslides in Mon district rose to nine with the recovery of five more bodies, while four people remain missing as search and rescue operations continued for the third day on Tuesday.
An official of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said Rio held the meeting to review the evolving situation as incessant rainfall continues to trigger landslides, flash floods and waterlogging across the hilly state. Emergency response teams are working to ensure timely relief, restore connectivity and safeguard lives.
The Deputy Commissioner and Chairman, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Mon district, informed that following the devastating landslides and flash floods on July 19 and 20, the Nagaland government released Rs 70 lakh as ex gratia to the next of kin of the deceased, gratuitous relief for the injured, and immediate relief assistance for housing damage under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
An official statement said that the Chief Minister, during his visit to the affected sites in Mon district on July 20, also extended Rs 10 lakh to civil societies, the district hospital, and local volunteers supporting government efforts in search-and-rescue operations.
The extreme weather event claimed nine lives, left several persons injured and caused widespread destruction to residential houses, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure across the district.
Expressing profound grief over the tragic loss of lives, the Deputy Commissioner conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and assured that the District Administration stands firmly with every affected family during this difficult period.
The District Administration, in close coordination with NSDMA, District Police, SDRF, Assam Rifles, Territorial Army, line departments, village and ward councils, Konyak Union, KNSK, KSU and local community volunteers, continues to undertake search and rescue operations, damage assessment, distribution of relief materials and restoration of essential services in the affected areas.
In Arunachal Pradesh, State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) officials said the current spell of floods and landslides has so far claimed seven lives, injured 29 people and left two others missing, while affecting nearly 1.50 lakh people in around 600 villages under 343 circles in all 27 districts.
The worst-affected districts include Siang, Papum Pare, West Kameng, Kamle, and Lower Siang.
(IANS)
