DIMAPUR — The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) under Home department, in coordination with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Regional Office, Guwahati, has issued weather updates for the coming days.
An update from NSDMA informed that heavy rain along with thunderstorm and gusty winds (speed 30-40 kmph) is expected to continue in the state. The showers would be accompanied with other pre-monsoon activities such as lightning, hailstorm and thunderstorm along with squally winds which is expected to last till April 16.
It informed that partly cloudy heavy rainfall along with strong winds and lightening is expected in isolated places in the districts of Peren, Dimapur, Kohima, Phek, Wokha, Zunheboto, Kiphire, Mokokchung, Shamator, Tseminyu and Tuensang. It added that the maximum temperature would be around 31℃ and the minimum temperature would see a dip during that time, settling even below 11℃ over the hilly areas.
Probable Impacts
1. Visibility may become poor due to intense spell of rainfall leading to traffic congestion.
2. Temporary disruption of traffic due to water logging in roads/ uprooting of trees leading to increased travel time.
3. Partial damages to kutcha houses and huts.
4. Possibility of damages to vulnerable structures due to Heavy rainfall/landslides.
5. Heavy rainfall may damage the crops in the maturity stage.
6. Take appropriate shelter during thunderstorms and lightning activities.
Actions suggested
1. Follow traffic advisories issued, if any.
2. Avoid staying in vulnerable structure.
3. Provide proper drainage in the cropped field if heavy rainfall is expected.
4. Propping of the vegetable pandals recommended.
5. Do not go out of house during adverse weather especially for working in agriculture field, grazing cattle, fishing and plying boats or general travel.
6. When thunder roars, be inside safe shelter. Avoid metal structures and constructions with metal sheeting. Safe shelters include homes, offices shopping centres and hard-top vehicles with windows rolled up.
7. If you are caught outside with no safe shelter nearby, immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges, or peaks.
8. If you are caught in an open area, act quickly to remove yourself from danger.
9. Hair standing up on the back of your neck with tingling could indicate that lightning is imminent. Immediately get out of and away from ponds, lakes, and other water bodies.
10. Keep away from all utility lines and objects that conduct electricity (telephone, power, metal fences, overhead wire, rail-road tracks, wind mills, trees and hilltops.
11. Rubber-soled shoes and car tyres do not offer protection from lightning.
12. If you are in forest area, take shelter under small and dwarf trees.
13. Do not take shelter under electric or telephone poles or trees. These attract lightning.
14. Do not use metallic items and stay away from bikes, electric/ telephone poles and wire fence
15. If you are working in an open field / outdoor and do not have enough time to take shelter in a safe place, crouch down in a ball-like position with your head tucked and hands over your ears with minimal contact with the ground and make yourself a smaller target.
16. Never use mobile phones during lightning.
17. Unplug electrical/electronic appliances like computers, laptops, game systems, washers,
18. Dryers, stoves, or anything connected to an electrical outlet, as the main power supply may conduct a power surge during a lightning storm.
19. Ensure that children and pet animals are inside.
20. Remove tree timber or any other debris that may fly and cause an accident.
21. Get off bicycles, motorcycles or farm vehicles that may attract lightning.
22. If boating or swimming, get to land as quickly as possible and take shelter in a safe place.
23. During a storm, remain in your vehicle until help arrives or the storm has passed (the metal roof will provide protection if you are not touching metal inside); windows should be up and the vehicle must be parked away from trees and power lines.
NSDMA has urged the public to exercise caution to avoid any disasters during the period. It further requested all the district disaster management authorities and other line departments to be on alert to save lives and properties.
