Flash flood destroys paddy fields in Dzüleke and Thekrujuma areas

Paddy field destroyed by a flash flood in Dzüleke.
 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 30 

A flash flood at the Chathe River on August 28 caused major destruction to paddy fields in Dzüleke and Thekrujuma. 

Around ten paddy fields were destroyed by the rising water levels of the river in Dzüleke, while the damage was more extensive in Thekrujuma, with paddy fields on both sides of the river banks affected. 

In Thekrujuma, which falls under Sechu Zubza Sub Divisional Headquarters, delayed reports of the incident informed that basic services like road and electricity have also been disrupted. Eight electric poles were destroyed and the village has been without electricity since the flood occurred. Meanwhile, around two thirds of the paddy fields and almost all the irrigation canals in the area have been destroyed. 

The only bridge over the Chathe River connecting the village had also been washed away the night before. The damaged area stretches to almost one kilometre along the river course, while accurate assessment of affected farmers could not be ascertained till the filing of this report. 

The District Disaster Management Authority Kohima was immediately informed about the ground situation and a team of officials from the Agriculture Department were also deputed the next day, according to Mhomo Tungoe, SDO (C) Sechü Zubza. 

An emergency foot bridge was constructed for people to cross the river on August 29. However, the flash flood has widened the breadth of the river, prompting Thekrejuma Village Council Chairman, Rüüngutuo Kruse to state that “now it's going to be difficult to construct a temporary bridge for vehicular movement.”

Water supply is another cause for concern as drinking water pipes have been disrupted by the flood. It was informed that the Chathe River also provides water to Medziphema town, Medziphema village, Rüzaphema village and the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD) along with other neighbouring places. But with the flash flood, the water connectivity to those places has also been affected.

Other effects of the flood include damage to major portions of two agri link roads, while many footpaths leading to the village and to the paddy fields were also destroyed in the process.

It was further reported that some buffaloes were also killed during the flood. 

As of August 30, while water levels are slowly subsiding, it is still difficult for people to cross the river.