Morung Express News Dimapur | August 5 Foggy weather conditions over Kohima cut short a scheduled aerial survey of rain-affected areas in Nagaland State by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju on August 5. Rijiju was scheduled to fly over Kohima and other affected areas in the State, including the Doyang Dam before landing in Kiphire for a ground assessment. The helicopter, which took off from the Dimapur airport earlier in the morning, transporting the Minister and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio turned back ,with Rijiju later conducting an impromptu assessment of the situation at the Niathu Resort in Dimapur. Low visibility over Kohima was attributed as the reason for the Minister to cancel the survey. As per a DIPR report, Rijiju assured CM Rio “of all possible help from the Home and Defence Ministries.” “The Union Minister was visibly surprised to learn about the magnitude of devastation in Kohima,” stated the report, while adding that Rijiju informed of constituting a Central inter-Ministerial team within a week’s time. The report said that the inter-Ministerial team will come to Nagaland and prepare a “correct projection of the financial requirement” for restoration, rehabilitation and rebuilding. "Very soon we will send the team to Nagaland and once they submit the report, relief would be released immediately," Rijiju was quoted as stating. He further assured of coordinating with other “line Ministries” for the restoration and rebuilding works as the “Home Ministry's role was limited to rescue and relief works as per the Finance Commission guidelines.” The report quoted Rio requesting for additional funds from the Centre for immediate relief to the affected and starting of restoration works. “He also requested the Union Minister for granting ex-gratia to the ten lives lost due to disaster.” Rio also informed of the ruling PDA MLAs deciding to contribute a month’s salary and voluntary donation from party workers to the restoration effort. “Rio also made an appeal to all government servants for voluntary contribution,” the report stated. 100cr for immediate restoration, 300cr overall OSD NSDMA, Johnny Ruangmei briefing the media today in Dimapur said that the State requires no less than Rs.100cr for immediate relief and restoration. Describing the damages across Nagaland State as extensive, Ruangmei said that the overall requirement for rebuilding and rehabilitation of the affected areas and people is estimated to be around Rs. 300cr. He said that there are 103 locations that have sustained “major damage” without accounting areas described as sustaining minor damage. While stating that Rijiju assured to keep the IAF helicopters on standby for relief sorties, Ruangmei said that the Minister observed that the problems faced by hilly states during natural calamities are more acute than in the plain states. Stating that this needs to be taken into consideration, Ruangmei quoted Rijiju as assuring to raise with the Centre the issue of greater funding for hilly states in times of natural disasters. Secretary, Home and NSDMA, Rovilato Mor said that the Minister was apprised of the need for supply of additional food grains to the affected areas and also asked for additional helicopters and other logistical support for the State. The State Government at present has only one helicopter. Kiphire unreached Meanwhile, Kiphire remained cut-off from the rest of the state for two weeks in a row since the landslides blocked the only two roads linking the district. Mor said government relief personnel in coordination with state off-road motorsport association were able to carry over some aid using jungle tracks. Queried on the status of medical aid, he said they are yet to assess the available medical stock in the district. No medical team has reached the town.
