• Announces state-wide social work on April 21
• PWD tasked to complete Bailey bridge at Chathe before monsoon
• Provision of life insurance policies for the SDRF personnel
DIMAPUR, APRIL 14 (MExN): The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home Department under the chairmanship of the Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio convened a pre-monsoon meeting on April 13 at the office chamber of Chief Minister, Civil Secretariat.
The pre monsoon preparedness meeting was convened by the Chief Minister to take stock of the status of the infrastructures and public utilities before the onset of monsoon. This was imperative as Nagaland had witnessed unfavorable monsoon last year which caused huge loss to lives and properties in many parts of Nagaland due to increased climate change induced extreme weather, a press release issued by Abhishek Singh, Home Commissioner to the Government of Nagaland stated.
The meeting was attended by the AHODS/HODs of line departments and technical agencies responsible for maintenance of public utilities.
During the meeting some of the agenda discussed were provisioning of central pool of resources from the line departments to be parked at the disposal of DDMAs to be used during any exigencies.
Review of status report of infrastructures and public utilities from the line technical departments, status of preventive measures for the monsoon at the state and district level to respond effectively to any likelihood of flood situations, windstorms and destructions of public utilities, provision for Disaster Mitigation Fund and also life insurance policies for the SDRF personnel who take extreme risk in times of disaster.
Many AHODs shared concerns on the preparedness for the monsoon or any eventuality of disasters. The inspection report on the infrastructure was shared by the Commissioner & Secretary, PWD and stated that bridges and culverts have been checked. However, he appealed to conduct a safety audit of public infrastructures which will ensure more resilience in times of disasters.
The Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC), shared about the crop insurance and animal insurance which have benefited farmers and also stressed on the need to scale up. The Chairman of District Disaster Management Authority, Kohima informed the house on the need to find an alternate route to be used during any emergency. And he stressed that the alternate route requires maintenance and proper repair so as to enable the traffic and transports of essential materials during exigencies.
After the deliberation, the Chief Minister announced for state-wide social work to be carried out across the districts on April 21 to ensure clearing of blocked drainages and other public utilities.
The District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) along with all stakeholders such as NGOs, Village Councils, Governmental Departments, will undertake mass social work as preventive measures before the onset of monsoon.
The PWD department has been tasked to complete the construction of Bailey bridge at Chathe River before the onset of monsoon.
The meeting ended with a note from the Chief Minister to be prepared and alert during this coming monsoon by all the technical departments responsible for management of emergencies to save lives and properties, the press release stated.
