DIMAPUR, Aug 7 - As floods and landslides leave a trail of devastation in Nagaland, the villagers of Bhandari subdivision in Wokha district are staring at a grim future as their agricultural fields have been covered by silt brought in by the floodwaters.
The villagers are worried that they would not be able to cultivate their fields for the next to two to three years. Hence, they are seeking immediate help from the State Government.
Wokha Deputy Commissioner Dr Menazir Jeelani Samoon, accompanied by Bhandari Additional Commissioner Tiameren Chang, several government officials from different departments and civil society organisation leaders, visited the flood-affected villages under the subdivision to take stock of the situation on Monday.
According to reports, Samoon interacted with the village council chairmen and gaonburhas (village headmen) of Ruchan, Renthan, Yammhon (New), Koro (New) and Liphi villages. The flood-affected villagers appealed to the Deputy Commissioner to help them recover from the present disaster.
Pointing out that farming and agriculture produce is the main source of income for their families, and provides for their livelihood, economy and children�s education, the villagers said the flood had brought in silt and, therefore, cultivation is feasible right now.
The villagers also stated that farms, agricultural crops, vegetation, livestock and residential houses have been washed away by the current wave of flood.
The Deputy Commissioner assured the villagers that different government agencies with expertise would be engaged to assist the villagers after a thorough damage assessment is done by the competent authorities. He also appealed to the villagers to extend all possible cooperation.
The Deputy Commissioner also visited four makeshift relief camps at Ruchan and Liphi villages, presently occupied by the displaced families. Later in the day, he visited the flood-affected people of Renthan village.
He also distributed relief materials and essential commodities under the District Disaster Management Authority to address the immediate needs of the affected and displaced.
During the meeting at Ruchan village, it was announced that Mhonlumo Kikon, adviser to the Information Technology and Science department, will donate his one month�s salary to help the flood-hit.
