KU official hands over the relief during a visit to Aboi in Mon on July 30.
Mon, July 30 (MExN): The Konyak Union on July 30 expressed deep sympathy with families affected by the devastating floods and landslides triggered by incessant rainfall and cloudburst-like downpours in Nagaland's Mon district on July 19 and 20, saying thousands of people continue to face hardship due to damaged infrastructure and disrupted connectivity.
In a statement, the Union said the disaster caused massive landslides, mudslides and flash floods across the district, severely damaging road connectivity, electricity supply and communication networks.
After seven days of restoration efforts, a delegation of the Konyak Civil Society Organization (CSO), under the aegis of the Konyak Union, visited the worst-affected areas, including Mon, Tizit, Naginimora, Wakching and Aboi.
During the visit, the delegation met affected families, assessed the extent of the damage, interacted with constituent units and distributed relief assistance as a gesture of solidarity.
The delegation observed extensive damage caused by landslides at several locations, while severe flooding in Tizit and Naginimora destroyed or cut off access to homes, roads, agricultural fields, businesses and other essential infrastructure.
According to the Union, floodwaters in Tizit inundated residential areas, damaging houses, schools, shops, tea gardens, agricultural land and livestock. In Naginimora and adjoining areas, flash floods and landslides displaced several families and caused widespread destruction.
The damaged road network and disrupted power supply have also made the transportation of food, medicines and other essential commodities extremely difficult, it said.
The Union said many displaced families were not staying in formal relief camps but had taken shelter with relatives, neighbours and other community members.
As a result, host households are sharing their already limited food supplies, sleeping space, drinking water, sanitation facilities and household income with additional people, increasing the burden on affected communities, it added.
The Union also expressed concern over the death of livestock and the accumulation of animal carcasses, saying these have polluted the surrounding environment and could trigger disease outbreaks unless immediate preventive measures are taken.
It said that despite sustained efforts by the district administration and Konyak civil society organisations to clear landslides and restore connectivity, persistent rainfall has continued to hamper road clearance operations, disrupt public transport and affect communication services.
The Union said it would continue working closely with the administration, government agencies and the public to address the challenges arising from the disaster.
It also informed that efforts are underway to compile comprehensive data on all affected families. Since several remote and inaccessible areas are yet to be covered, Konyak civil society organisations are working to ensure that no affected household is left out of the assessment.
The Union appreciated the efforts of its constituent units, government agencies, volunteers, village authorities and community members who carried out rescue operations, emergency relief and humanitarian assistance despite difficult conditions.
Reaffirming its commitment to the rehabilitation process, the Union said it would continue to work with the government, civil society organisations, humanitarian agencies and other stakeholders to ensure sustained assistance for affected families and support long-term recovery in the disaster-hit areas.
