Natural disaster wreaks havoc in Wokha and Kiphire districts

WOKHA — Heavy rain accompanied by strong wind has damaged several houses and other properties which struck Wokha and Kiphire districts on April 19 and 20 respectively.

In Wokha town, two houses at different locations were damaged by natural calamity early on Saturday at 1 am. The unprecedented disaster also caused water logging at Etsutchukha Colony, adjoining the National Highway-2, affecting 15 hoseholds due to poor drainage system.

One house at Airfield Colony and another at Tsumang ‘B’ colony were reported to be severely damaged by strong wind, which struck Wokha town on Saturday morning at around 1:30 am. It was reported that roofs of both the houses were blown away by gusty wind.

The affected victims informed this reporter that there was no casualty and are yet to report the damage to the district disaster management authority.

Heavy downpour also caused water logging at Etsutchukha Colony affecting around 15 households due to poor drainage. The situation was aggravated due to non-completion of drainage of the ongoing NH-2 road construction in Wokha town.

The residents affected by water logging claimed that they started to face hardship only after the NH-2 road construction started. The residents claimed that they face similar problem annually only during monsoon.

The affected members have appealed to the district administration to oversee the poor drainage and undertake maintenance work as it has become a perpetual phenomena especially during rain.

It was also reported that the department of National Highway has cleared the clogged drainages on Saturday evening after receiving information.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that several houses including granaries, electric poles and PHED pipelines were damaged by heavy rain accompanied by strong wind in Kiphire district on April 19.

A DIPR report stated that Old Manger village, Sitimi town and Matriki village (Yingshikiur) under Kiphire district were worst affected by the disaster.