The Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) that visited Nagaland for an on-the-spot assessment of monsoon damage in Zunheboto and Tuensang districts.
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 13 (MExN): A debriefing session with the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) was convened under the chairmanship of Nagaland Chief Secretary and Chairman of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) at the Civil Secretariat in Kohima. The IMCT was in Nagaland to assess the damage caused by landslides, flash floods, and floods in 2024.
During the meeting, Advisor to the NSDMA, Z. Nyusietho Nyuthe, highlighted the frequent natural calamities that plague Nagaland, urging the central team to bring the state’s challenges to the attention of the central government. He stressed that natural disasters are not isolated incidents but recurring events due to the state's vulnerable geographical conditions.
Joint Secretary (FFR) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Anant Kishore Saran, acknowledged Nagaland's fragile geological terrain, which contributes to the annual recurrence of natural disasters. Saran assured that under central assistance schemes, immediate relief would be provided.
Saran suggested revising the current office memorandum on disaster mitigation, stating that it is outdated and needs improvement. He urged heads of departments to review the memorandum for details on central assistance categories. While the team couldn’t visit all the disaster-affected areas, Saran assured timely aid, particularly focusing on restoring road connectivity, and praised the NSDMA and the state government for their efforts.
Chief Secretary Dr. J. Alam outlined the numerous challenges Nagaland faces during the monsoon season, especially regarding road infrastructure, and urged the central team to provide timely support.
Johnny Ruangmei, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at NSDMA, presented an overview of the monsoon damage, supported by the IMCT, NSDMA, and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs).
The IMCT included representatives from the Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the Ministry of Finance.
