Residents clear debris from a landslide-hit road amid incessant rain, restoring connectivity in the affected area. (File Photo, For Representational Purpose Only)
Dimapur, July 20 (MExN): Condolences continued to pour in on Monday over the devastating landslides in Nagaland's Mon district that claimed several lives, with the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the Eastern Naga Students' Federation (ENSF) and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) expressing grief and urging authorities to expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer said he was "deeply saddened and profoundly distressed" by the tragedy, which claimed lives and caused extensive damage to homes, livelihoods and public infrastructure.
Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, Longkumer prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
He appealed to citizens to remain vigilant, strictly follow advisories issued by the authorities and extend all possible support to affected communities as the state continues to experience adverse weather conditions.
The Speaker also lauded the district administration, disaster response agencies, security forces, medical teams and volunteers for their tireless efforts in carrying out rescue and relief operations.
The Eastern Naga Students' Federation (ENSF) also expressed profound sorrow over the loss of lives and widespread destruction caused by incessant rainfall and the ensuing disasters in several parts of Mon district.
The federation extended condolences to the bereaved families and appreciated the efforts of the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the district administration, organisations and individuals involved in search, rescue and relief operations in Tizit, Naginimora and Mon town.
The ENSF urged the state government to accord top priority to restoring road connectivity, electricity, telecommunications and other essential infrastructure damaged by the disaster.
Observing that the eastern region has remained developmentally disadvantaged for decades, the federation said the present calamity should not be allowed to further hinder the region's development and called for immediate restoration of damaged infrastructure along with long-term measures to strengthen disaster resilience.
It also appealed to the government to expedite financial and material assistance to bereaved families, compensate those who suffered damage to property and livestock, and ensure that the relief and rehabilitation process is carried out transparently, equitably and without discrimination.
Meanwhile, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) National Secretary Khamo Lotha expressed grief over the tragedy and urged the Nagaland government to intensify search and rescue operations until all missing persons are located.
He also called for immediate relief, including food, drinking water, temporary shelter, medicines and other essential supplies for affected families, adequate ex gratia compensation for the families of those killed, financial assistance for the injured and displaced, and early restoration of roads, bridges, electricity, communication networks and other essential services.
Lotha further appealed to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to extend financial, technical and disaster response support to Nagaland to aid relief and rehabilitation efforts.
He also urged churches, civil society organisations, student bodies, youth groups, business communities and the public to come together in support of the affected families and help them recover from the tragedy.
