Torrential rains, flash floods and landslides wreaked havoc in several parts of the North East, particularly Nagaland. Battered by incessant rains in July-August and the ensuing floods, Nagaland is now limping back to normalcy. With several places still cut-off, the state government is focusing on restoration of communication networks and damaged roads. A central team from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) visited the flood-affected state last week to assess the damage. According to officials, Phek and Kiphire districts are worst-affected. The connectivity to these districts has been cut-off completely due to the landslides on National Highway-202.
According to official estimates, Nagaland will require approximately Rs 800 crore for relief and rehabilitation.
Officials from the Ministry of Home affairs said the team that visited Nagaland will soon submit a report. There is no final decision on the amount of money to be given as aid.
"Rebuilding and restoration of damaged roads and communication infrastructure is the biggest challenge before us. Few blocks are still cut-off. The rainfall was severe in July during a short duration but that led to floods, killing 12 people. Around 13 per cent of the state's population has been affected," said Johnny Ruangmein, officer on special duty, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority.
Along with Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam too witnessed floods and damages in the past week. Unprecedented high rainfall in the catchment area of Yarlung-Tsangpo in China caused the river to swell, according to a report by researchers Chintan Sheth from the National Centre for Biological Sciences and Anirban Datta-Roy of ATREE. As a result, Siang (aka Tsangpo in Arunachal Pradesh) was in full spate. In fact, the flooding in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, contributed to flooding in Brahmaputra in four neighbouring districts of Assam.
The Chinese government had warned the Indian authorities about the rise in water level and the possibility of deluge. Following the Chinese warning, deputy commissioner of East Siang district send an advisory, asking people to "refrain from venturing into Siang for fishing, swimming and to avoid eventualities." According to the Central Water Commission's flood alert on September 4, the Siang was flowing at a level of 153.19 m at Pasighat while the danger level is 153.96m. "Since July first week, the pattern of currents has been changing. We need to have more data on the water levels in Siang to have a proper action plan in place," said Vijay Taram, a lawyer-cum-activist and resident of Pasighat.
The rise in water levels affected the left bank and Seram, Borguli, Namsing, Ralling and Sigar villages in East Siang district and damaged several houses. The flooding also left 30 people stranded on an island on the Siang river. The Indian Air Force had to airlift them to a safer ground.
CHINA’S OVERSPILL
- Heavy rainfall in the Yarlung Tsangpo river in China caused it to swell, leading to a massive discharge downstream, which is the Siang river in Arunchal Pradesh, the Brahmaputra in Assam
- In Arunachal, flooding in Siang affected Seram, Borguli, Namsing, Ralling and Sigar villages in East Siang district
- In Assam, a fresh wave of floods in Brahmaputra and its tributaries affected 12,428 people in 48 villages in Dhemaji, Biswanath, Golaghat and Sivasagar districts. The earlier wave of floods had killed over 50 people
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