Nagaland Hit by Incessant Rains, 12 Dead so Far; CM Neiphiu Rio Seeks Rs 219-Cr Aid From Centre
Nearly 3,000 families have been displaced from over 400 villages in the state. The State Disaster Management Authority is working on war-footing to minimise the number of casualties.
Kohima, Aug 29: Incessant rainfall in Nagaland, over the past week, has claimed 12 lives so far, the state government said on Wednesday. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has sought a Rs 280-crore aid from Centre on immediate basis, claiming that roads at 359 locations across Nagaland have been washed away, cutting off the villages from essential supplies.
Temjen Toy, Chief Secretary, Nagaland, said the state has witnessed an "unprecedented amount of damage", which is incomparable with the previous years.
Toy claimed that nearly 3,000 families have been displaced from over 400 villages in the state. The State Disaster Management Authority is working on war-footing to minimise the number of casualties.
The interim report prepared by the Nagaland government has found that the collective loss to be incurred by the state exchequer could climb up to Rs 800 crores. As an immediate relief, the Chief Minister has appealed the Centre to grant Rs 219 crores.
Notably, Nagaland, despite being a financially stressed state, had donated Rs 1 crore to flood-ravaged Kerala. CM Rio has appealed people from other states to exhibit similar generosity for the north-eastern state.
Although Nagaland is facing flood-like situation, the state, along with other regions of the northeast, has received deficient rainfall. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, rainfall has been 26% less in Nagaland, 30% in Assam and 68% in Manipur.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2018 11:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).