A State level monsoon preparedness meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister and Chairman NSDMA, Neiphiu Rio at the CM’s Secretariat, Kohima on May 20, informed a DIPR report.

Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio said all government departments in the State need to be prepared for the upcoming monsoon season since Nagaland monsoon character cannot be predicted as it may result In excess or deficiency in rainfall which will have disastrous effect in both cases.

Stressing on the need for funding for monsoon preparedness, Rio said, that State should provide some funds for emergency situations to the district administration so that immediate reliefs can be given to those affected by monsoon related incidents and situations.

Rio also called on the Public Works Department (Roads and Bridges) to arrange JCB in every district and engineering divisions in every district must arrange and keep a JCB handy through hiring or contribution from contractors or private parties to come to the rescues of the people for any untoward incidents during monsoon season. Rio further appealed to the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to clear all drainages, Hume pipes and culverts so there is smooth flow of water as to avert damages.

According DIPR, Rio commented that reliefs and after effect of different diseases and respond and restoring needs the coordination of all the departments and at the district level civil societies always come to the rescue of the state government and plays a very important role in such situation. Therefore, when such coordination meetings are called civil societies including women leaders should be invited, Rio said.

He also appealed to the Agriculture department to supply quality seeds and distribute seed on time to the farmers and instructed power department to be prepared for any unforeseen incidents as every year power cuts during monsoon seasons causes a lot of hardship to the citizens.

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Rio expressed happiness over the department monsoon preparedness for the upcoming monsoon and appeals all to pray for the best and also to be prepared for the worst. Rio also instructed the Chief Secretary to have VC with all the districts and have a meeting with him in the early part of June on the district preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season.

Minister PWD (R&B) G Kaito Aye, Minister of Health & Family Welfare P Paiwang Konyak, Food & Civil Supply, Legal Metrology K Tokugha Sukhalu and Chief Secretary J Alam IAS also shared their concerns and requirements for the monsoon preparedness during the meeting.

Joint Chief Executive Officer NSDMA Jhonny Ruangmei gave a power point presentation on ‘Monitoring and forecasting of monsoon 2004’. The Department of PWD (R&B), CD & SDRE, Food & Civil Supplies, Health & Family Welfare and NDRF submitted their infrastructure upkeep report and power presentation were presented on monsoon preparedness.