Chief Minister’s relief fund reads at INR 2.33 cr. from 40k donors

Dimapur, Sep. 11 (EMN): Amid havoc caused by the monsoon rains in various parts of Nagaland, people from across the country have come forward to help those affected. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has said that the state has received more than INR 2.33 crore so far via the chief minister’s relief fund from over 40,000 donors.

“Thank you for your contribution towards Chief Minister Relief Fund & helping those affected by #NagalandFloods and landslides across #Nagaland. Thank you for standing by Nagaland. I hope people will continue to #DonateForNagaland & help Nagaland get back to normalcy,” the chief minister tweeted.

The monsoon rains hit Nagaland hard this year, putting almost the entire state into an emergency-like situation with the most affected being the state’s capital Kohima; and Kiphire, Phek, and Tuensang districts. According to the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) report, at least 12 lives were lost, 532 villages and 48,821 families affected, and 359 roads damaged. The state government has put the cost of damage at INR 800 crore.

Rio had sought help from the central government and well wishers earlier last month. However, it received lukewarm response from the public with the chief minister’s relief fund getting only INR 2,33,75,000 (two crore thirty three lakh seventy five thousand) from August 31 to September 8. Likewise, Nagaland Governor PB Acharya had, earlier, also expressed ‘disappointment’ at the meagre donation the state received.

The Centre’s damage-assessment team consisting of five members had visited the state and had asked the authorities to submit the damage report within a week. However, monsoon is not likely to get over soon, with the NSDMA announcing that the state might receive very heavy rainfall from September 8 to the 10th.