At least three to four people lose their lives every year in the waters of the Doyang reservoir in Wokha district, the Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) said in a press release, urging the Government of Nagaland to immediately station a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) unit in the district.
The Union stated that the recurring fatalities, often involving fishermen, picnickers, and residents from Wokha as well as neighbouring districts and Assam, point to a serious gap in disaster response infrastructure. It added that two lives have already been lost this year alone.
“Behind the megawatts lies a grim statistic that the State can no longer afford to normalise,” the LSU said, referring to the Doyang Hydro Electric Project, which has been generating 75 MW of power for over two decades and contributing to the State’s energy sector.
Calling attention to what it described as a systemic failure, the Union stated, “The absence of a permanent, professional disaster response unit in Wokha District is no longer a gap. It is a failure of policy.” It maintained that ad-hoc rescue efforts, delayed responses, and reliance on untrained volunteers have resulted in preventable loss of lives.
In this regard, the LSU appealed for the immediate sanctioning and deployment of a designated NDRF unit in Wokha, stating that such a presence would enable timely and professional water rescue operations during emergencies. It further noted that an NDRF unit could also conduct awareness and sensitisation programmes on water safety and disaster preparedness.
The Union also called for strengthening local disaster response mechanisms by equipping the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Home Guards, and Civil Defence units with adequate training and modern equipment to ensure quicker and more coordinated responses.
“The value of human life is priceless, and the recurring loss of lives in Wokha District due to water-related disasters calls for immediate action,” the LSU stated, urging the Government to treat the matter with urgency and translate it into decisive action without further delay.