Advisor for New & Renewable Energy, NSDMA, Z Nyusietho Nyuthe with Chief Secretary, Dr J Alam, IAS and officials during the inspection of Landslides affected areas at Piphema-Tsiepama Boundary and Kukidolong area, Medziphema, Chumoukedima on July 9. (DIPR Photo)
DIMAPUR, JULY 9 (MExN): In the wake of devastating flash floods triggered by record rainfall across Nagaland, Chief Secretary Dr J Alam, IAS, on Wednesday led a high-level assessment and coordination drive across multiple districts, including Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Medziphema, to review damage and expedite relief efforts.
From July 5 to 8, Dimapur district alone recorded approximately 959 mm of cumulative rainfall, with some locations reportedly receiving up to 3,600 mm, overwhelming drainage systems, submerging roads, and displacing families. Dr Alam convened an emergency meeting of the Dimapur District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on July 9 following a field inspection of affected areas.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Dr Tinojongshi Chang, presented a detailed incident report on the floods, including ground-level assessments and proposed action plans.
According to the DDMA’s incident report, the district was caught unprepared due to the intensity and volume of rainfall. Multiple areas experienced severe waterlogging, and relief operations had to be initiated immediately.
At the meeting, Dr Alam underscored the urgency of coordinated response across departments—particularly the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), Health, PHED, PWD, and Police—and reminded that all stakeholders were integral members of the DDMA team.
Commending the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) for its prompt operations despite limited resources, the Chief Secretary assured that requests for additional rescue boats and emergency funding would be addressed on a priority basis. He also stressed the need for heightened medical vigilance, instructing the Chief Medical Officer to deploy field teams and initiate mosquito net distribution in vulnerable areas.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Secretary, accompanied by Advisor for New & Renewable Energy and NSDMA, Z. Nyusietho Nyuthe, and other senior officials, conducted inspections in Chümoukedima and Medziphema subdivisions. The team visited flood-hit zones including the Piphema–Tsiepama boundary and Kukidolong, which were heavily damaged by landslides.
Road conditions near the Olive Hospital junction along National Highway routes were also reviewed, where Dr Alam interacted with contractors and directed urgent infrastructure restoration.
Additional Secretary for Transport & NSDMA, Sentiwapang Aier; DC Chümoukedima, Polen John; DCP Nikho Venuh; and ADC Medziphema, James Swu were part of the inspection team.
Dr Alam emphasised that disaster management must extend beyond response into preparedness, urging all district officials to step up monitoring, coordinate relief, and identify long-term infrastructure vulnerabilities. He also assured that the NSDMA would continue to closely monitor the situation and extend necessary support to district administrations.
SDRF relief funding complicated, creating hurdles
Meanwhile, in Niuland district, Deputy Commissioner and DDMA Chairperson Sara S. Jamir convened a parallel emergency preparedness meeting on July 9, reporting that the recent rainfall was the worst in two decades. Villages across the district, particularly Aghunaqa and Kuhuboto, were inundated, and multiple roads had been washed away.
Calling for a unified inter-departmental response, Jamir requested the Niuland Town Council to mobilise ward councillors to clear drainage channels and prevent further flooding.
In regard to SDRF Relief Funding, the DC and various officers present voiced their concern and said that the existing complicated mechanism to avail the relief funds is creating hurdles to effectively handle the crisis and urged the concerned department to look into the matter.
