GUWAHATI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed its helicopters for keeping supply chain of essential commodities intact in rain and landslide-battered Nagaland.
The Northeast state got some respite from rains in the past two days but many areas are cut off due to landslides. Over the past few days, 10 people have died and several others injured in the catastrophe. During this period, the state received 72 per cent more rainfall than the normal.
"We are taking the help of IAF to drop ration. As of now, the situation is not alarming as far as ration is concerned. We have been able to reach the affected people," Nagaland Chief Secretary Temjen Toy told TNIE. "There has been some respite from the rains. After days of rains and incidents of landslides, many villages are cut off. So, is the Dimapur-Kohima highway. An alternative road is being used for vehicular traffic and supply carriers. Road communication is being restored at several places but on a temporary basis. The situation is worst in Kiphire district. Several patients were evacuated to other places from the district."
On Sunday, Junior Home minister Kiren Rijiju failed to make an aerial survey of the affected areas due to inclement weather. Later, he assessed the situation with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in Dimapur.
Rijiju assured Rio of all possible help from the Centre. "The Union Minister was visibly surprised to learn about the magnitude of devastation in Kohima," an official release said, adding that a Central inter-ministerial team would be formed within a week's time. The team will visit the state and prepare a report for restoration, rehabilitation and rebuilding.
According to Borjhar-based Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), the chances of heavy rainfall in the Northeast in the next 72 hours are less. "There could be rainfall associated with thunderstorm in isolated places in the next three days. However, these rainfall activities will not cause any flooding," said meteorologist Sunit Das of RMC.