Nagaland floods: Damage 10 times worse, 50,000 families displaced in two months, says CM exclusively to MyNation

 

 

In a bid to focus on the flood-struck Kerala, it seems like the north-eastern State, Nagaland has been forgotten. The state has been facing landslides and floods since July 26, which is for over two months now. While several media channels reported that the families displaced amount to around 4,000, the State of Nagaland is in a much worse condition. Speaking exclusively to MyNation, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, expressed that the State was in dire need of any help that could be offered, since over 50,000 families have already been affected and displaced due to incessant rains and floods. "Until today, rains are continuously pouring, and the clouds and mist have blocked our view as I cannot see the next building also. 12 death cases are reported and it(flood) has affected around 550 villages" he said. 

 

needs your . Incessant rain has caused floods & landslides in several parts of the state & have affected many. pic.twitter.com/OC3fmLYCcB

— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio)

Plight of Naga's

With the ongoing situation in Nagaland, the State was kind enough to donate a huge amount of Rs 1 crore for relief during Kerala floods. But, somewhere along the lines, the focus has completely been shifted from Nagaland, which has been facing continuous rains and a cut in basic necessities such as electricity, food supply and broken roads. The chief minister explained that the connecting highway between Dimapur and Kohima has been shut due to the current floods for over a month now, which only makes their reach to families in need much harder and almost impossible. From the estimated 20 lakh population of the State, over 2.61 lakh people have been affected directly by the floods, which amounts to 13.19% of the Naga people. Rio highlighted, "The highway 29, which connects Dimapur and Kohimar to Imphal has been shut for one month now and the restoration(of Nagaland) will take more than a month, because 50% has been destroyed and nobody can go(travel) into this area."

Damage in the state on the rise

Several reports also claimed that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had reached the State and begun rescue operations from August 31. However, clarifying with MyNation, the chief minister stated that the NDRF team was in fact yet to arrive and would do so only on September 4. With the lack in proper coverage and no focus on the flooded situation in the State, Nagaland has seen the death of over 12 people already, along with over 550 villages directly affected by landslides and floods. Highly important buildings such as the Nagaland university has been left shattered, with immediate need to relocate the offices from the building. It is indeed heartwarming to know that the State has, with no help from neighbouring States, helped in the relocation and restoration all by itself. The Chief Minister has however been promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh that help will be provided. The central government had also sent Army choppers packed with food and other necessities to be dropped in affected areas in the start of the floods for over a week. The chief minister said, "The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs of India did visit Nagaland, but he could not take a look due to the cloudy weather and continuous rains."

 

Spoke to Nagaland CM and took stock of the situation in the wake of floods in parts of the state. Assured all possible support to the state in the rescue & relief operations. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Nagaland and pray for everyone's wellbeing.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)

Will the state demand help from other states? 

Amidst this helpless situation and no help in sight, the State was kind enough to provide the State of Kerala with all the help, but Nagaland has received nothing in return from Kerala or other States. Rio expressed that this was probably due to the lack in coverage of ground reality in his State. But in a humbling statement, the chief minister concluded by telling us that the people of Nagaland have always been helping each other from the start, and that the State did not want to cause any sort of disturbance or trouble to other States by demanding help. Rio raised his concern regarding the lack of help received until now saying, "Media coverage is not there and people do not know so we cannot blame anybody."

Will the State of Nagaland remain forgotten or will the nation come together to restore the State back to its beautiful being, just like it did for Kerala? 

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