DIMAPUR, Aug 6 - After attempts for four consecutive days, Indian Air Force helicopters on Monday managed to airdrop essential commodities in some areas, including worst-hit Kiphire district, affected by incessant rains and landslides in Nagaland.
Kiphire remained completely cut off from the rest of the State for the last two weeks due to landslides and collapse of retaining walls.
Other places where commodities were airdropped so far are Tening, Tobu, Pungro and Noklak. Altogether, 10,352 kg of essential commodities that included rice, pulses, potatoes, onions, cooking oil, salt, milk powder, sugar and tea leaves have been airdropped by IAF helicopters in seven sorties.
Sources said 103 locations in the State have been affected. They said the State would require at least Rs 100 crore to repair the damaged roads.
Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju made an aerial survey of the affected areas along with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Sunday. and central and state government official on Sunday.
During a brief meeting here later in the day, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) gave a presentation to Rijiju showing the extent of damage caused by rains and landslides in the State.
Rijiju said an inter-Ministerial team would be constituted and sent to the State within a week�s time to prepare a correct projection of the financial requirement. Once they submit the report, relief would be released immediately, he said.
Admitting that problems faced in hilly areas were more acute, he assured to raise the State�s issue with the next Finance Commission.
NSDMA officer on special duty Johnny Ruangmei said the State Government had sought a special package for reconstruction.
A verbal request was also made through Rijiju to recommend allied Ministries to sanction special packages to rebuild and reconstruct damaged infrastructure, he added.
