Nagaland advices officials, citizens to be vigilant over incessant rainfall

Dimapur, Oct. 24 (EMN): In view of the Regional Meteorological Centre, Guwahati, forecasting heavy rainfall activity over Nagaland during October 24-26, due to the cyclonic storm ‘Sitrang’ over west central and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal, the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) has issued an advisory, directing the state officials and citizens to be vigilant during the period.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a probable impact of the cyclone in the state, which include poor visibility, traffic disruption due to water logging and uprooting of trees, landslides, flash floods, damage to power and communication lines, damage to standing crops, lightning and damage to vulnerable structures like hoardings, tents and display board, etc.

The NSDMA has, therefore, directed all District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) and concerned department to “be prepared and vigilant for any eventualities including disruption to normal services and activities in their respective districts and/or in their respective departmental area of concerns”.

For personal safety, it also advised the citizens to take the following suggested actions from October 24 to the 26th:

• Follow traffic advisories issued, if any.
• Avoid going to areas that face water logging problems/river front.
• Avoid staying in vulnerable structure/ landslide prone areas.
• Provide proper drainage in the cropped field if heavy rainfall is expected.
• Be updated.

“Any persons violating any order/direction under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, will be liable for action under relevant section of law,” read the update.