The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) has clarified that three Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)-funded works in Chumoukedima were sanctioned for restoration of flood-damaged infrastructure and flash-flood mitigation, and not for comprehensive river erosion protection.
The clarification comes amid what the NSDMA described as “factually incorrect information” circulating in sections of the media and social media, which it said had created confusion, particularly in the Diphupar A and Seithekhiema areas.
According to the NSDMA, the sanctioned work for restoration of flood-damaged infrastructure from K Khel, Diphupar A, has been completed from Diphupar A Gate up to K Khel.
It said the flash-flood mitigation work at Diphupar K Khel connecting Airport Road has also been completed, while the flash-flood mitigation work from Naga United Village, Ruve Khel to Seithekhiema Basa has likewise been completed.
The authority said the three projects were sanctioned specifically to restore vulnerable village road infrastructure affected by flooding and to mitigate recurring flash-flood risks.
“These works were not sanctioned as river erosion mitigation projects,” the NSDMA said, adding that reports or statements suggesting that the SASCI works were intended for comprehensive river erosion protection did not reflect the approved scope of the projects.
The NSDMA also clarified that the works were executed departmentally and were not awarded as contracts to any private firm or contractor.
According to the authority, the interventions were carried out through the approved departmental implementation mechanism, based on technical assessments, site conditions and disaster-risk mitigation requirements of the affected communities.
River erosion proposal under consideration
The NSDMA said it was aware of river erosion concerns affecting vulnerable areas in and around Chumoukedima, but said comprehensive river erosion mitigation required a separate and technically appropriate intervention.
It said river erosion mitigation measures had consequently been proposed separately under the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), with the proposal currently under consideration by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
“Subject to its approval and sanction, appropriate river erosion mitigation interventions will be undertaken in the identified vulnerable areas,” the authority said.
The NSDMA appealed to media organisations and social media users to verify the sanctioned scope of works before publishing or circulating information, saying inaccurate information could create misunderstanding or apprehension among the public.
The authority said it remained committed to transparency, accountability and the safety and welfare of communities affected by disaster risks.
