Incessant rains trigger landslide and mud slips in Nagaland

Incessant rains for the past few days have caused mud slips and landslide in some areas under Meluri Sub-Division in Phek District of Nagaland.
Unless those locations are proved to be safe by the geologists, the villagers cannot live peacefully, said Deputy Commissioner of Phek, Muruho Chotso in a release here today.
The Commissioner of Nagaland has been requested to depute geologists to examine the site at the earliest, it said.
Meanwhile, five villages in Meluri district remained cut off from the rest of the state as a result of incessant rains, which swept away bridges and also claimed one life on Saturday last, said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Meluri.

The affected area, which falls under Phokungri circle, comprises New Thewati, Old Thewati, Letsam, Phokungri and Avangkhu villages, the ADC said.
Aid was yet to reach the affected villages as bridges connecting the area were swept away on August 1, making it impossible for personnel to make contact with the villagers, he said.

The bridges which were washed away include one iron bridge over Khazuti River between Washelo and New Thewati, a wooden bridge between Laruri and Letsam over Khazuti River, a wooden bridge over Leyakti River between New Thewati and Letsam and two more small wooden bridges over smaller streams.

The magnitude of damage could not be assessed as five bridges linking the area have been swept away, while telecommunication links remained down, he said.
The affected villages comprise of around 200-250 households, the ADC said, adding the ground situation could be assessed only after rescue personnel reach the area.
New Thewati village was reported to be the worst affected as it was located in a low-lying area, he added.