Flash flood submerges several houses in Dimapur

Eastern Mirror Desk

Dimapur, Oct. 12: Heavy rains on the night of October 11 triggered a flash flood-like situation in the low-lying urban areas of Dimapur on Saturday morning.

An official from Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) told Eastern Mirror that most part of low-lying areas of urban Dimapur viz., Dhobinalla, Zeliangrong colony, Purana Bazaar, Sachu colony, Burma Camp and Bangjak Phom colony were affected by last night’s rains.

The official added that authorities were yet to assess the extent of damages caused.

In Burma camp, as many as 30 families were affected by the flood. Several colonies under Burma Camp: Namgalong colony, Ragailong colony and Chungaizang colony; Mao colony, Police colony, Sachu colony and Bank colony were inundated by the flash flood.

According to a resident of area, the flash flood was a result of poor drainage system, adding that it was not the first of such instance. He said that there is an urgent need for construction of drainage from Nagarjan-Dhansiri river area.

The drainage construction, he pointed, out was completed till Bank colony (half portion) and the rest of the stretch have been lying neglected for many years. Even a five-minute rain floods the area because of poor drainage system and every monsoon season, the residents take it upon themselves to clear the drains, he said.

“Although the department concerned is aware of the situation, no action has been initiated. Even for the relief, the affected families have to wait for eight to nine months; students are the ones who has to bear the brunt of the flood,” another resident of the colony, affected by the flood, said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Kevekha Kevin Zehol visited the affected areas at Bangjak Phom colony. The DC’s office informed that around 900 persons from 400 households in the colony were affected by the flood.

In a makeshift camp, Indian Red Cross Dimapur district branch distributed tarpaulin/tents and other essential commodities to the victims, it informed. Rotary Club and the district administration provided also provided other relief materials.