Incessant rain can trigger landslide, flashflood, cautions Nagaland government

KOHIMA— The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) has asked the people of the state to avoid hazard and risk zones, cautioning that incessant rain could cause landslide, flashflood, road blockages and damages to properties.

Informing that incessant rain is expected across the state till Monday, July 17, the NSDMA asked the government agencies and departments to be prepared for response to save lives in the event of emergency.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Johnny Ruangmei, Joint CEO of NSDMA, said that they have sent out an alert in view of consistent heavy showers experienced across the state.

He informed that numerous roads in the state have been affected by the rain and they are in the process of gathering details on the extent of damage. He added that they are planning to compile a report on the affected roads and submit to the Public Works Department (PWD) in the upcoming week.

Informing that rain has triggered landslides in several areas, the official urged the public to refrain from going to vulnerable locations like waterlogged areas and riversides, though it’s paddy plantation season, in view of potential threats such as floods. 

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) updated that five northeastern states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura have experienced rain deficit since the four-month long (June to September) southwest monsoon began in June, even as rainfall in the country as a whole is “normal”.

Among the three meteorological sub-divisions in the northeastern region, the Arunachal Pradesh sub-division has recorded a 22 per cent deficiency, while the Nagaland-Manipur-Mizoram-Tripura subdivision has recorded rainfall shortage of 34 per cent.

In Nagaland, of the 11 meteorological districts, six districts recorded deficient rainfall while in Manipur, of the nine meteorological districts, six districts recorded deficient and large deficient rainfall.

Also read: Nagaland to experience more rainfall, NSDMA informs