Nagaland gets “air-drop” assistance of essential commodities in areas affected by incessant rainfall

NewsBharati    07-Aug-2018
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Dimapur, August 7: With weather conditions drifting considerably in the state of Nagaland, the Centre assured on giving all the available assistance to the state. In another major attempt, Indian Air Force helicopters managed to airdrop essential commodities in some of the areas, including the worst-hit Kiphire district, affected by incessant rain and landslides in Nagaland.

Kiphire remained completely cut off from the rest of the state for the last two weeks because of landslides and collapse of retaining walls. Other places where the commodities were airdropped so far are Tenzing, Tobu, Pungro, and Noklak.

Altogether 10,352kg of essential commodities that included rice, pulses, potatoes, onions, cooking oil, salt, milk powder, sugar and tea leaves, were airdropped by the IAF helicopters in seven sorties. It has been noted that 103 locations in the state have been affected. The roads blocked by landslides made it even more difficult for the government to reach the affected villagers.

Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju made an aerial survey of some of the affected areas along with Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, and the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), central and state government officials on Sunday.

During a brief meeting here later on Monday, the NSDMA gave a visual presentation to Kiren Rijiju showing the extent of the damage. Rijiju said an inter-ministerial team would be constituted and sent to the state within a week's time to prepare a correct projection of the financial requirement. Once they submit the report, relief would be released immediately, he said.

NSDMA officer on special duty Johnny Ruangmei said the state government had sought a special package for reconstruction. The BJP legislators of Nagaland have decided to contribute a month's salary to the people affected by rain and landslides in the state.

CM Neiphiu Rio thanked Kiren Rijiju for showing his concern by personally visiting Nagaland and for assuring that Delhi has not forgotten Nagaland.

Stating that restoration work was the main challenge, the Chief Minister requested for the additional fund to start restoration works besides immediate relief. He also requested the Union Minister for granting ex-gratia to the 10 lives lost due to disaster.

The Chief Minister also emphasized that the State Government machinery was making all-out efforts to restore damaged infrastructure and provide relief and rehabilitation to the affected people. However, the State was unable to address the challenges due to lack of resources, adequate machinery and equipment and also due to poor connectivity. He, therefore, requested the Centre to provide much-needed help to the State.