Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, AUGUST 7
The main road leading to Secretariat area has been completely cordoned off on Friday due to the rapid rise in water levels at the Sanuorü stream resulting from torrential rain and accumulation of debris which clogged the water passage (culverts) that run through the Secretariat Road in the state capital.
Attempts to pump out the accumulated water by authorities coordinated by the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) on Thursday proved futile due to continuous rainfall and the water level is estimated to have doubled and risen to approximately 50-55 feet deep this evening.
The NSDMA reportedly contacted the Border Roads Organisation and the latter advised that cutting a passage on the road to let the water trickle out would be the only way to control the flooding. Subsequently, two excavators from the PWD attempted to cut a small channel on the road, however a portion of the road gave way and the manoeuvre was stopped. Besides the risk involved, this has caused some small openings and the water is slowly flowing out gradually.
Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar who was at the site monitoring the works said that concerted efforts are being put in to manage the situation. He acknowledged that the road would have to be closed for sometime and the citizens would face some inconveniences. Assuring that the road will be restored as early as possible, the bureaucrat appealed to all for cooperation.
The road serves as the main link to the state Secretariat, the Assembly Secretariat and different departmental directorates, but with the cut off, people have been advised to take either of the two alternative roads – the route through Billy Graham Road via DBS and the IG Stadium road which detours from Meriema Village junction.
All these events are a consequence of rampant throwing of garbage in drains by the citizens and the debris got accumulated over the years to the point that five huge culverts were clogged and caused flooding, submerging a house in the process.
NSDMA Secretary, T Ao who is supervising the operations informed that precautionary measures were being taken for the worse case scenario, should the road give way under the pressure of water-logging.
“The people living downstream have already been evacuated… As far as houses are concerned, we cannot help it but human lives should be safe,” Ao said.
Fortunately, he said, there is not much habitation in the entire stretch downstream besides a few houses, however huge damage to the land topography and farmland is feared.
He added that the NSDMA is putting together as much help and as many resources as possible from different departments to ensure that damage is minimized. “We just have to wait and hope for safety,” he asserted.
On the cause of the flooding, he said rain is the primary cause as it releases excess run-off water and Sanuorü is supposed to be a natural drainage for about 4-5 localities.
He also informed that a local diver went into the water Friday morning but was unable to go deep as there was too much debris underwater. Pointing to the clogging of the drainage system, Ao emphasized that proper education of the public and enforcement is required on civic sense and better disposal of wastes.
“These are huge culverts and it took years and years of accumulation to clog and now the whole road is under risk,” he lamented.
On whether the people who were evacuated will be compensated, he said that depends on the district administration and things would process as per government norms.
Monitoring and operations were reportedly being continued at the time of filing of this report.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Rovilatuo Mor has issued a public notice informing the general public to avoid using the Secretariat Road so as to ensure safety of life till the water level subsides.
