• Seven major roads cut off in Kohima
• Casualness on the part of various agencies embarrassing: Chief Secretary
Morung Express News
Kohima | July 30
Seven major roads in Kohima have been blocked off as incessant rains wreaked havoc in the state capital over the past few days.
On July 30, as the heavy downpour continued, landslides and mud slides were reported, which led to damage of several homes, evacuation of residents and schools, and heavy traffic jam in the capital.
The Sanuorü Bridge inaugurated last year in August below the Working Women Hostel collapsed on Monday morning as a result of the landslide in the Secretariat road. Vehicular movement was prohibited and office goers as well as school students were seen walking at the landslide area to reach the other side. The Mohonkhola road, Keyake route, Meriema High court- NBCC route, NH-2 below IG Stadium, Nagabazar road, BSF Camp-Medical college-Secretariat road were all blocked on July 30.
Considering the situation as an emergency, Chief Secretary Temjen Toy held a coordination meeting with the Commissioner & Secretary, Works & Housing; Chief Engineer (R&B) and Highway; DC, Kohima; Commandant, BRO; SP, Kohima; Department of School Education; Home Department and NSDMA at the Chief Secretary’s conference hall, Kohima.
"The past few days, a lot of damages have been reported in different parts of the State but more importantly what has been happening in and around Kohima is a matter of grave concern," said Toy during a press conference held after the coordination meeting.
"It is rather embarrassing that the State Capital should be cut off to some degree. There has been various degrees of casualness on the part of the various agencies, while some are working overtime," stated Toy, who however also blamed the "irresponsible behavior of the citizenry when it comes to blockage of drains".
Regarding the situation as an emergency, the Chief Secretary urged for an action that will ensure proper flow of traffic, adequate availability of essential commodities and where government offices and institutions, especially the educational institutions are not affected.
"From today onwards as soon as the meeting is over, every technical officer in and around Kohima, all of them will be on the road. All of them will be assigned duties to make sure firstly that all the blocks that have occurred are cleared. Secondly, the sinking portions in various roads including the National Highway 2, those problems will be addressed immediately. Since this is some kind of emergency, all resources are being pulled and we have taken a break from our normal works. All the technical officers and all available manpower will be put on the ground, round the clock to make sure that traffic is not disturbed," announced Toy.
Discussions were also held with the Department of School Education, where Toy informed that Schools need not be suspended as of now since all the major arterial roads in Kohima town are expected to be restored and functional by Monday night. The GMS School at Keyake is reported to have been evacuated.
"It is not only the roads but culverts and drains that will be cleared. We would like to appeal the public to please refrain from littering. Anything that goes to the drain not only makes the drains overflow but also blocks the culverts at critical points which leads to subsidence and landslides. There is a role for all of us to play," stated Toy.
While the Phesama NH-2 road has been cleared, Toy informed that some sinking has occurred at the road near Kisama Gate which will be addressed by the BRO with assistance from the state government by way of machineries.
At the Nagabazaar road, the Kohima SP is taking preventive measures to make sure that heavy vehicles are not allowed to ply. Although some subsidence is present at the Sanuorü road near the Working Women’s hostel, technical experts have informed the possibility of light vehicles to ply. However, Toy noted that the light vehicles will be regulated so that Kenuozou road is not overburdened with traffic. The road blockade at Keyake between Seikhazou and BSF camp, according to the Chief Secretary, is serious. "It may not be restored tonight but we will see what we will do," said Toy.
Toy also assured that all efforts are being made to open the blocked roads at BSF Camp-Medical college-Secretariat road along the National Highway and the Meriema High court-NBCC road. He acknowledged the contributions of some contractors who have deployed their machines and laborers to clear the road. "For the sinking in the NH 2 below IG stadium, the engineers have already taken stock of the situation and prevention of further subsidence will be taken up," said Toy.
With the damage of private as well as government property, the NSDMA is taking steps to ensure that immediate property relief is provided to the house owners.
Further, the Chief Secretary stated that the Zubza-Peducha road continues to be a major problem because of continuous mudslides from the hill side. "Attempts have been made to divert the road but every time we make a diversion, it gets blocked because of the debris coming from upstream," informed Toy assuring that the matter is being addressed in the highest level.
In total, 25 houses under Kohima have been damaged because of landslides and some people have been evacuated, informed Rajesh Soundararajan, Kohima DC and Chairman of Kohima District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).
On the availability of essential commodities, the Chief Secretary appealed citizens not to panic. "We have adequate stocks as of now and all efforts are being made to make sure that supply of essential commodities is not stopped to Kohima," he said.
Landslides in other districts
While there were reports of landslides and damages in other districts, the Chief Secretary informed that the major damages occurred in Kohima.
The BRO meanwhile informed of landslide in the NH-702, 23 km from Tuensang, stating that a culvert has been almost washed off. “The road is completely gone and it will take time to restore," he said adding that laborers and equipments are stationed at the area, however the rain is causing a major hindrance.
Further the diversion road to Mishilimi has also been washed off. "The BRO are working there for the past two to three days and today they are placing the pipes. The road is opened for light vehicles but heavy vehicular movement is restricted. We are trying to restore it by today," informed the official.
