The Assam government has told an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) that exceptionally heavy rainfall in Nagaland contributed to the unprecedented flooding in Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat, including districts that have historically not been considered flood-prone.
The assessment was presented to the six-member IMCT during a review meeting with Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota at Janata Bhawan in Dispur on Wednesday, at the conclusion of the team’s four-day visit to the worst-affected districts.
According to Assam officials, Nagaland recorded 181 per cent excess rainfall, with Mokokchung recording an extraordinary 493 per cent departure from normal. Wokha recorded a 108 per cent departure, while Mon recorded 45 per cent.
Officials told the Central team that the exceptionally heavy rainfall in Nagaland on July 19, coupled with localised extremely heavy rainfall in Charaideo and Sivasagar, resulted in widespread inundation in the four districts.
The development is significant as the Assam government described the flooding in Charaideo and Sivasagar as unprecedented, despite the two districts not traditionally being among the state’s flood-prone areas.
The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), when contacted for its response to the Assam government’s assessment, referred queries to the Chief Minister’s Office.
The CMO could not be reached for comment through the contact numbers listed on the Nagaland government’s official website.
The IMCT has assured the Assam government that its observations from the field assessment would be submitted to the Central government.
