A monsoon preparedness meeting under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary (CS) and Chairman of the State Executive Committee (SEC), NSDMA, Dr J Alam, IAS, was held at the Chief Secretary’s Conference Hall, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima, on May 21. The meeting, attended by Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and District Heads of Departments, was convened to assess the availability of essential commodities, road conditions and alternative routes, healthcare services, and mass social work initiatives to mitigate any unforeseen disasters during the upcoming monsoon season.
During the meeting, Dr Alam noted that certain districts are expected to experience both deficient and excessive rainfall, which could present significant challenges. He urged all DCs and line departments to remain vigilant and prepared to respond to any emergencies.
He expressed concern over the maintenance of the road between Kohima and Dimapur, particularly highlighting the recurring issues near the old KMC dumping site, where landslides and road blockages caused by overloaded trucks are common. He called on the administration, police, and line departments to monitor traffic regulations and identify alternative routes to ensure smooth traffic flow at all times.
Dr Alam also instructed the PWD to strategically place machinery in disaster or landslide-prone areas to enable proactive responses. He stressed the importance of maintaining adequate stocks of essential commodities, especially in vulnerable areas.
The CS directed the Health & Family Welfare Department to focus on vulnerable zones and take precautionary measures against potential monsoon-related outbreaks and emergencies.
He called upon the DCs to judiciously utilise available resources during emergencies and ensure roads remain open. In cases of landslides or blockages, efforts should be made to restore and repair roads with minimal delay. He also instructed the DCs to hold regular preparatory meetings and issue specific directions and guidelines to concerned departments and organisations.
Dr Alam further requested all departments to instruct their respective district heads to provide full support and coordination to DCs and district magistrates for any monsoon-related issues.
In his closing remarks, the Chief Secretary stated that all concerns raised by the DCs have been noted and will be addressed. He assured that the availability of essential commodities, medicines, and emergency equipment would be prioritised by the concerned departments.
Deputy Commissioners, Chairpersons of District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), and District Heads of Departments joined the meeting via video conference and provided updates on their district’s monsoon preparedness and the challenges they face.
