Kohima, Aug 5: Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Wednesday visited landslide and flash flood-affected areas in Mon district of Nagaland and inspected the extent of the devastation, met affected families and promised of all possible support from the Centre for relief, rehabilitation and restoration.
Nadda, accompanied by Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal and Rajya Sabha MP Phangnon Konyak, inspected the landslide-hit Defence Colony and adjoining affected areas in Techa Ward before interacting with victims and civil society representatives at the Konyak Union Office in Mon.
Expressing solidarity with the affected families, the Union minister described the disaster as “very disheartening and painful” and comforted them, saying they were not alone during this difficult time.
“I saw the situation and understood the hardships the people were facing after the calamity. The Centre will leave no stone unturned to support relief and restoration efforts,” he said, adding that a central team would also visit the district to assist in relief measures.
Nadda further conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families, stating that he had been entrusted by the PM to personally assess the situation and extend the Centre’s support.
He also appreciated the relief initiatives undertaken by the district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Wennyei Konyak, along with the Konyak Union, Konyak Students’ Union, Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong and other organisations in operating emergency relief camps.
He commended the efforts of the rescue teams comprising the district administration, police, SDRF, civil society organisations and volunteers.
According to a statement issued by the Konyak Union, Nadda later held a meeting with the district administration and Konyak civil society organisations at the Konyak Union Office, where he also met family members of those who lost their lives in the disaster.
During the meeting, the Konyak Union presented photographs and video footage documenting the widespread destruction caused by the landslides and flash floods across Mon district.
Rendemo Shitio, assistant manager (Response and Communication), Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), who made a presentation on the post-disaster interim assessment of Mon, said incessant rainfall on July 19-20 triggered landslides and flash floods across the district, resulting in loss of lives, extensive damage to homes, severe agricultural losses and complete disruption of major road connectivity.
He said that the Mon district headquarters recorded 83.95 mm of rainfall on July 19, while cumulative rainfall between July 19 and 31 stood at 341 mm.
Deputy Commissioner Wennyei Konyak briefed the Union minister on the disaster situation, stating that continuous heavy rainfall had caused widespread flooding and landslides, severely damaging roads, bridges and public infrastructure.
Several villages experienced temporary disruption in road connectivity, while Defence Colony and adjoining areas were among the worst affected. Many houses were damaged, families displaced, and power and water supply disrupted in some locations.
He said relief camps and temporary shelters had been established wherever required, with food grains, drinking water, medicines and other essential commodities being distributed to affected families.
The deputy commissioner informed the gathering that Nagaland ministers who were scheduled to accompany the Union minister could not travel to Mon as continuous rainfall in Kohima prevented the helicopter from taking off due to adverse weather and operational constraints.(PTI)
