DIMAPUR, JUNE 1 (MExN): Following the May 30 flash flood that occurred in Meluri sub division of Phek district, in which four people were washed away, bodies of two of the victims have been recovered. The body of one of the victims, identified as Nyuhiethsu (37) from Meluri village was recovered from the Tizu River on May 31 at around 1:00pm; while the other victim, identified as Shesuthsu (70), also from Meluri village, was recovered at Leyshee Town, Myanmar. Two other missing persons who were washed away remain missing. They have been identified as Rothothsu (45) from Meluri village and Eyelo Wezak (40) from Jessami village. The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) detailed that search and rescue operations have been hampered due to water flowing above the danger level. It further reported that an excavator from the PWD (Mechanical), Phek has been requisitioned to clear the debris piled up near Mercy Bridge. The locations affected by the flood in Phek include Leyakthi Bridge (Phor/Laruri to Phokhungri Route), Khayuthi Bridge (Zhipu-Phokhungri Route), Layakthi Bridge (Zhipu-Phokhungri Route), the Shilloi-Phokhungri road (landslide), and along the stretch of the Avankhung ITC Road (landslide). Apart from loss of life, many paddy fields located along the stretch of Jiji/Thechli River have been completely washed away, along with huts and other properties. As per preliminary spot verification, unless immediate relief is granted by the government to the affected farmers for construction of embankment, there is less chances of cultivating paddy crops on the affected field during this year. It was also informed that four bridges have been washed away in Phokhungri circle. As a result, Phokhungri village is completely cut-off. Further, in Aghunato village of Zunheboto district, a landslide occurred in the middle of the town just below an Airtel mobile tower posing threat to the residents. The District Disaster Management Authority along with the town committee is in contact with the concerned telecom company in Guwahati to take measures for shifting of the tower, the NSDMA informed.
