With the monsoon season setting in, the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, Ajit Kumar Verma, IAS, has issued a public advisory warning residents of the northeastern hill district of potential natural hazards such as “inundated water logging, flash floods, landslides and rising water level in the rivers and streams” due to “heavy precipitation in the hill sector.”
The advisory, issued Tuesday, urged the general public “to refrain from going to vulnerable spots like landslide-prone areas and also avoid movement and overnight stay along the river banks for picnics, fishing and other water related activities or shelter under large trees.”
Calling for heightened public vigilance, the DC advised residents to “always be watchful on hill roads and try to note features like cracks on road surface and slopes and to alert authorities.” The notice went on to highlight early warning signs of possible landslides and debris flows, cautioning that “a sudden increase in volume of water in streams and marked transformation from clear to muddy water,” or the sound of “trees cracking or rolling boulders,” may precede disaster.
Further, residents were asked to stay alert “during heavy rainfall and continuous damp weather” and to “stay out of the path of a landslide or debris flow.”
The advisory also directed government machinery and grassroots disaster management bodies to remain in a state of readiness. “All the concerned Area Administrative Officers/Head of the Departments/Village Disaster Management Authorities/Village Council Chairman/Head GBs/GBs/Ward Authorities are hereby directed to take precautionary measures and be alert to attend to any emergencies caused by natural calamities/disaster to save lives and properties during the monsoon period.”
In particular, the DC called for close monitoring of riverbanks. “The river banks shall be strictly monitored by the Village Disaster Management Authorities (VDMAs), Village Councils, Head GBs, and Ward Authorities,” the order said, adding that incidents “if any may be reported” to several helpline numbers: 1070 (State disaster toll-free helpline); 112 (ERSS extension for Disaster Management); Control Room (Mokokchung): 0370-2291120 / 2291122; Mobile: 8731889309; and Email: ddmamkg123@gmail.com.