Dimapur, 23 September (MTNews): Dimapur has been undergoing an unprecedented crisis with floods affecting various villages and colonies of the district due to incessant rain. Disturbing images and videos have emerged over the past few weeks, with some residents even swimming across the street in the floodwaters and school children wading across submerged streets.
Local residents have pointed to various factors contributing to the recurring floods, including improper waste disposal, delayed waste management by authorities, inadequate road construction, and a flawed drainage system. Notably, Dimapur experiences annual flooding, with the previous major flood occurring in June 2023. Despite this, the Dimapur flood issue remained unaddressed even during the monsoon session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, which concluded on 14 September 2023.
In a welcome turn of events, the Nagaland Government has now taken notice of the crisis. Minister of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio, initiated a two-day inspection of the flood situation on 23 September 2023, accompanied by district officials. This marks the first ministerial response to the issue in months. Reportedly, Minister Rio conducted inspections at nine locations in the Dimapur town area and plans to assess the flood situation in the market area on Sunday.
Speaking to local media, he said, “I am conducting this town survey with DC Dimapur, medical department and the entire team of Urban Development Department and Municipal Affairs. We have observed some structures obstructing the drainage system, which has also contributed to the flooding.”
He emphasized that their primary goal was to assess the flood situation to gain a better understanding of the causes and potential solutions. When asked about illegal constructions, particularly houses built over drainage systems, he explained that they would initially engage with the authorities of the affected colonies and villages in Dimapur. However, he firmly asserted that illegal construction of this nature would not be tolerated. Minister Rio highlighted that the first point of authority would be through the DC Dimapur, and legal measures would be taken as necessary.
He further appealed to citizens, panchayat authorities, and colony leaders to consider this issue a ‘social problem’ and collaborate in maintaining the drainage systems. “The sad part is, our Naga people only depend on the Government. While the Government will develop, we expect our people to maintain it,” he said.
Regarding the funds he plans to secure for the construction of drainage, he stated that he would try seeking help from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the department, as well as CM Neiphiu Rio. “It will be a special grant for Dimapur,” he said.