Dr Neiphrezo inspects damaged sites affected by windstorm

KOHIMA, MAY 17 : Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation (NSMDC) Chairman, Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu, who is also MLA from 11th Northern Angami-II A/C along with a team from District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), ADC Chiephobozou and staffs inspected the damaged sites where several houses were destroyed by strong wind yesterday.

A total of seven houses including three each at Chiechama and Phezha and one at Tuophema village, were destroyed by the wind which swept across the State on Monday afternoon.

At Phezha, the occupants of a house below National Highway 2 narrowly escaped when a big tree felt above their house.  The roof top was blown away, while the uprooted tree also partially damaged the wall of the house.

Another rickety rest house at Phezha was blown away to a distance, while a shop near Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse’s Memorial Park was partially hit by the branch of a tree which felt above the house.

At Chiechama, a house adjacent to the NH-29 was damaged, while the roof top of another house near Chiecha Bawe Baptist Church was mangled. The roof top of a toilet belonging to Chiecha Basa Baptist Church was also destroyed.

It was reported that the Catholic Church at Tuophema Basa village was also destroyed by the wind yesterday. According to sources, the severe wind blew away the roof top of the church which in the process went to the extent of partially damaging a house adjacent to it.

As witnessed, many electrical posts and trees along the NH-2 stretch were pulled down by the severe wind. However, in all the cases, no casualty was reported till the time of filing the report.

The District Disaster Management officer of Kohima, Thejangulie Zao, who was also part of the inspection team, said the department will try every possible thing at the earliest.

“Firstly, we will assess the damaged properties, following which, we will compile a report and ask for relief to the affected households,” Zao said adding that “all necessary formalities will be routed through the Deputy Commissioner of the district, who is the chairman of DDMA.

Thejangulie Zao gave assurance in extending relief to the affected victims. He informed that there will be a separate relief fund for damaged properties which includes plantation and other assets.

He further informed that the relief fund will be classified into three categories – partially, severely and fully damaged properties.

To this, Zao told the village council members of the affected villages to initiate in reporting the damaged cases to the department concerned, and further asked them to produce a genuine photograph of their damaged assets.

During the inspection, MLA Dr, Neiphrezo Keditsu expressed his sympathy to the affected victims and he assured to render his best service to collaborate with the DDMA for availing relief to them.

With so many reports of natural disaster occurring in Nagaland this year, Keditsu advised the villagers to always stay alert and react positively in times of disaster.

Meanwhile, two houses and some electrical posts at Sechü Zubza were also destroyed by the wind.           Both the damaged houses belong to the same owner who runs a private hostel (St Stephen Hostel), adjacent to Don Bosco School, Sechü Zubza.  The roof tops of both the houses were blown away by the wind.

It was informed that the wind occurred just before the school’s classes got over. One of the houses is the dormitory of the hostellers.

Recalling Monday’s incident, the warden (who wished not be named) expressed his fear that there could have been casualty if the students were inside the dormitory when the wind occurred.

Though saddened by the damage, he was happy that all the students were at the school premises during the time of the incident.

Talking to Eastern Mirror, chairman of Sechü Zubza Village Council, Mhasikhotuo Zhünyü said, the villagers, as part of community service, voluntarily responded in reconstructing the damaged house early Tuesday morning.

The SZVC chairman also cautioned the villagers to always stay alert, while he further advised them to cut away or uproot those trees which are planted very near to the electrical posts in an around the village area, so as to remain safe and escape from any untoward happening.