Weathering Heights- storm & rain lash Nagaland

Kohima/Mokokchung/Longleng, May 1 (MExN): Thunderstorm and rains are creating turmoil in Nagaland State. The weather conditions have affected many districts, even as a cloud burst was reported in some districts on the night of April 30, destroying properties and public utilities. The rains and storms continued well into May 1. The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, Home Department, Government of Nagaland has jumped into action to assist the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to assess the damage and provide relief to the affected persons and areas. Mokokchung Very strong winds accompanied by heavy rainfall in Mokokchung during the wee hours of May 1 have damaged as many as 1299 houses in at least 40 villages in the district. About 70 farm huts, 50 embankments, about 95 utility and electricity posts, a telecom tower, water reservoirs, an anganwadi centre and a village gate were some of the other damages reported till the filing of this news. Official estimations were made by the district administration based on reports and inputs given by the respective administrative officers under various blocks. It was also marked that the number of houses damaged may go up as the district administration is expected to receive more reports from the villages in the following days.   The most number of houses damaged was reported to be at Changki village where a total of 228 houses were damaged, of which 10 were completely destroyed and 66 severely damaged. 40 farm huts, 50 embankments and 15 utility posts were also reported damaged in Changki.   The severest damage was reported from Mangkolemba administrative block under which Changki village also falls. Khar village reported 121 houses being damaged including 35 houses that were completely destroyed. 30 electricity poles were also reported damaged in Khar. Merayim, Athupumi, Japu, Longjemdang, Mongchen and Mangkolemba Town were the other settlements that were affected.  

A total of 291 houses were also reported damaged under Chuchuyimlang administrative block with Chuchuyimlang village topping the list. 45 houses were completely destroyed and 40 partially damaged in Chuchuyimlang village while 42 houses were completely damaged and 73 houses partially damaged in adjoining Chuchuyimlang Town. Chakpa, Mongsenyimti, Salulamang, Yaongyimti New, Longkong, Phangsang Compound and Yaongyimti Old were the other villages under the block were houses were severely or partially damaged.   Under Changtongya block, a total of 281 houses were damaged in the five affected villages. Changtongya town reported 41 houses being completely destroyed while another 31 houses were completely destroyed in Akhoya village. Unger and Kilengmen were the other two villages that were affected.   Longjang was the most severely affected village under Kobulong block. A total of 72 houses were damaged with 23 being completely destroyed in Longjang. Süngratsü village reported 16 houses being completely destroyed and 19 partially damaged. Longpa also reported 10 houses being completely destroyed. Khanimu, Longpa, Kubolong town, Chami, Yimchalu and Mopungchuket villages were also affected, effectively making the whole range of Asetkong being affected by the calamity. A total of 24 electricity posts were also reported damaged under Kobulong block. Unger Ongpangkong block, Longmisa village was the most severely affected where 9 houses were completely destroyed along with its Anganwadi centre and village gate being partially damaged. Kubza village also reported 6 houses being completely destroyed while in Mangmetong village 2 houses were completely destroyed and a BSNL tower collapsed. Sattsü, Kinunger, Longjongkong, Chungtia, Aliba and Meküli were the other affected villages where houses were damaged. Longleng Meanwhile in Longleng, heavy winds destroyed more than 100 houses in the town itself, informed the NSDMA. In Pongo Village in the district, about 23 houses were completely damaged and 38 houses partially damaged when strong winds that swept through the village in the early morning of May 1. The roof of some houses could not be traced till filling of this report while the roof of others was discovered few km away from the spot, informed a press release from the Pongo Village Council.   The wind also completely cut off the power supply to the village as many electric posts were uprooted with wires damaged in several places. The storm also uprooted countless trees, and damaged crops, causing “huge loss” to the village.   The first rescue team that rushed to the Pongo village from Longleng town in four vehicles had a harrowing time to reach the village while clearing the road blocked by fallen trees and bamboo. The press release also informed that the rescue team have to abandon their vehicles and walk on foot to Hongnyu village about 2km away before reaching the village as one house belonging to Yingsham Phom has been completely uprooted and blocked the main road.   The civil administration from Longleng HQ also arrived at the village to assess the damage caused by the storm in the afternoon and took stock of the situation. “This is perhaps the biggest natural calamity caused by the wind during the last 30 years,” informed the Pongo Village Council. The NSDMA has also received reports of casualty in Mongtikong village. Mon A cyclonic storm hit Tobu Sub Division under Mon district at around 2am on May 1 causing destruction to numerous houses. ADC Tobu, A. Zibenthung Kithan reported that around 7 houses were damaged in Tobu Town including the LKG section building of Newman Higher Secondary School which was completely levelled to the ground. The rooftops of two building belonging to the Tourism Dept were also blown away in the storm.   SDO civil Monyakshu Hq Sentilong Ozukum reported that around 30 houses were damaged under Monyakshu sub division in the cyclonic storm. Five houses in Yongkhao village under Monyakshu circle were reported to be swept away in a mudslide triggered by the storm. No casualty has been reported so far.   Meanwhile, three officials of the NSDMA have been camping in Mon district for the past week monitoring the recent disasters. The team along with the DDMA has distributed relief for Ukha village and surrounding villages today. Altogether 330 affected families of Ukha village were provided relief. Others Reports have also been received from Phek and Wokha district where some damage has been caused by heavy winds. Officials from the NSDMA have all reported to the affected districts to take stock of the situation and also to assist the DDMAs in providing much needed relief.