Kohima prepares to mitigate monsoon-related calamities

Dimapur, July 17 (EMN): With the onset of monsoon season, the deputy commissioner (DC) of Kohima has directed all the line departments to be fully prepared to mitigate any monsoon-related calamity.

The DC Kohima and chairman of Kohima District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Gregory Thejawelie, made this appeal during a meeting of DDMA on monsoon preparedness at DPDB conference hall held on July 16, a DIPR report stated on Friday.

On issues highlighted by the National Highways in the last meeting pertaining to widening of National Highways, the DC informed that NHIDCL has engaged some firms for repair and restoration works.

In regard to Forest sector, where several requests were received for cutting down of trees as it poses danger to property and lives, the DC informed that the clearance activities do not fall under the preview of the SDRF as per the guidelines issued by the NSDMA. He, therefore, stated that the issue should be sorted out for clearance activities.

On setting up of Village Disaster Management Authority (VDMA), the DC informed that 10 out of the more than 90 recognised villages under Kohima district have formed such committees. He, therefore, sought more efforts on the matter through the initiative of the area administrative officers.

The executive engineer of Power, Rokongutuo Suohu, in his brief presentation, stated that installation of power infrastructures near Dzüdza River is facing challenges due to land instability in the vicinity. Stating that there was an urgent need of power back-up (diesel generator) for an uninterrupted supply of electricity at institutional quarantine centres for Covid-19, he said his office had already projected the requirement to the department core committee for further necessary action.

The Power department also informed provisions are available for ex-gratia payment to its personnel/ staffs in the event of any catastrophic death caused by electricity, the report added.

The executive engineer of PHED Subongyanger shared on damage to water supply pipelines and water reservoir at Thekrejuna village. In this regard, the chairman clarified that DDMA had already offered financial assistance to the affected community for immediate restoration of water supplies.

Also taking part in the discussion, EAC Kezocha, Vineikho, stated that major landslide had occurred in two locations between Viswema and Kidima villages. He has requested the concerned authority to respond to the situation on an urgent basis. On the matter pertaining to formation of ward disaster management authority (WDMA) for municipal towns/wards, he requested the DDMA to form WDMA even for unrecognised towns under Kezocha administrative circle as a necessity for preparedness against any disasters.

The senior technical director and DIO of NIC Kohima, JG Lorin Rengma, suggested setting up of a verification committee to oversee the progress and completion of civil works being sanctioned under disaster management fund. Supplementing Rengma, the ADC and CEO of DDMA stated that a district-level monitoring committee should be set up soon to address and cater to such requirements to avoid any lapses.

On the necessity to annually update the Indian Disaster Resource Network (IDRN), NIC was requested to write a letter to all line departments enclosed with the prescribed formats to submit and update the departmental data, machineries, resources and man power. The DC also reiterated on the urgency to provide accurate information on the available resources of all line departments in prescribed format and submit the same at the earliest to be utilised in times of emergency crisis.

CVO (veterinary) of Kohima, Dr. Joseph M Angami clarified that the Veterinary department had no such provisions for compensation or relief assistance for loss or death of animal husbandry under the State Disaster Response Fund, SDRF cases.

NPTO, Kohima, also informed that there is an FIR act, which could be availed by the people for catering to any emergency needs and requirement, while the DSP, Kohima, stated that the department, apart from providing communication systems, has also introduced a toll free no.112 for any first emergency response action.

The house has also decided to include departments such as PHE, SDRF, NIC and IPR (DPRO) in the next District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP).

As a follow-up action plan for monsoon preparedness, DPA Kohima, Victor Yhome was entrusted to co-ordinate with the line departments and also conduct a spot verification drive as well as oversee all water drainages and outlets especially in the municipal areas and premises of the government offices. The report stated that a concrete activity plan would be mapped to mitigate any possible monsoon damage after the verification drive.