Zunheboto landslide situation alarming
Al Ngullie
August 29
DIMAPUR (MExN): A highly-placed government official said that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) approximating Rs. 19 Crores to tackle natural calamity-induced situations was set by the State Government and subsequently approved by the State Planning Board to be submitted to the Development of North East Region (DONER) for sanction. Out of the “requested” Rs 19 Crores, Rs. 5 crores was earmarked for the setting up of preventive infrastructural facilities for natural calamities such as the recent landslides in Zunheboto and Mokokchung but till now “no word has emerged about it” said the State functionary.
When The Morung Express contacted a Cabinet Minister he confirmed about the Rs. 19 Crores proposal initiated by the Government, but maintained that the sanction would be done only by the DONER Ministry. “We are waiting for the DONER to sanction the amount” he said.
Meanwhile, the situation arising from the landslides which occurred on August 22 in Zunheboto district is reported to be of major concern with gathering rains and the probability of it turning into a major predicament is not being ruled out. It is reported that almost the entire area of Project Colony, apart from four other colonies located within the landslide-prone areas, have been swept away. The Zunheboto Highway as well as the Daily Market is also reported to be severely effected.
MLA Hukavi, Zunheboto, has appealed to the Centre to intervene immediately and send a Central team. According to the MLA landslides are still continuing despite accelerated relief measures undertaken and evacuation of homeowners. “The situation is alarming and has taken a severe turn. Erosion and mudslides are still taking place and unless urgent steps are taken to rehabilitate the effected, almost all the major areas are going to be affected”, the MLA told The Morung Express. The MLA while assuring of the State government’s efforts, expressed his displeasure that a Central assessment team was yet to visit Zunheboto. He said if Mokokchung and Tuli could be visited by a central team why Zunheboto could not be given the same treatment. The Deputy Commissioner of Zunheboto also informed that the situation was alarming. He expressed grave concerns that should rains occur, more houses would be destroyed and a greater number of people displaced.
Meanwhile MLA Hukavi will be visiting the affected areas and interacting with the displaced homeowners tomorrow along with NPF functionaries, Town Committee members, GBs and heads of Departments. Verifications and damage assessment would be carried out by the MLA and officials after which necessary steps to alleviate the plight of the effected would be taken depending upon the extent of damage or losses sustained in the calamity. It is also learnt that the MLA and the DC Zunheboto had earlier in May donated Rs. 70, 000 and 20,000 each respectively, to help shift out materials from the landslide prone areas. The MLA said most were spent in paying labor charges and that more financial assistance was needed to aid the affected people.
