Continuous and incessant rainfall has triggered a major safety concern in Nagaland’s Tuensang district, where 48 households have been affected after the District Transport Office (DTO) building was declared structurally unsafe and at imminent risk of collapse.
Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa, on Wednesday said all concerned departments are working in coordination to address the situation and ensure the safety of residents.
Following an inspection by the District Disaster Management Authority, a Structural and Technical Committee, and ward officials, the building was found to have suffered severe structural destabilisation due to prolonged rainfall. Authorities concluded that the structure posed an immediate threat to human life and nearby public infrastructure.
According to the Deputy Commissioner, the District Transport Office building has developed major cracks and openings, leaving it on the verge of collapse. Besides the DTO, the District Programme Office (ICDS), Social Welfare Department and Mission Shakti (Hub for Empowerment of Women) offices have also been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Authorities subsequently directed all households residing below the District Transport Office, along with the affected government offices, to vacate the area immediately in the interest of public safety.
To accommodate those displaced, the District Administration has established an official Relief Camp at the Tuensang Town Hall, which is now operational for all evacuated families. The camp will remain functional until the DDMA declares the affected area safe for reoccupation.
The Deputy Commissioner has also requested the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to undertake urgent repairs on the damaged stretches of National Highway-202, which has suffered extensive damage due to the persistent rainfall, affecting connectivity in the district.
As part of the relief measures, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the DDMA has been appointed as the Overall Camp Supervisor, while the EAC (Sadar) would oversee the day-to-day management of the relief camp.
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Multiple departments have been directed to provide round-the-clock essential services. The Department of Food and Civil Supplies would supply food grains and essential commodities, while the District Hospital and Chief Medical Officer would ensure emergency medical care, medicines, disease surveillance and psychological support. The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) will provide safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, and the Power Department has been tasked with maintaining uninterrupted electricity supply.
The Police Department will provide security and maintain law and order, while Fire and Emergency Services will remain on standby for emergency response. The Social Welfare Department will extend assistance to women, children, senior citizens and other vulnerable groups, with Home Guards and Civil Defence personnel assisting in camp management and volunteer coordination.
The DDMA has also been directed to ensure the availability of essential relief materials, including bedding, blankets, cooked food, drinking water, hygiene kits and sanitation facilities in accordance with the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
The evacuation order warned that any individual refusing to comply, obstructing the evacuation process or re-entering the restricted area without authorisation would be liable for action under relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, including Sections 51 and 54, as well as other applicable laws.
Officials said the relief camp will continue to operate until the affected area is declared safe, with all departments instructed to treat the matter as one of utmost urgency and ensure immediate compliance.
Meanwhile, according to a press release issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Tuensang, on July 23, a total of 39 households, along with the District Programme Office (ICDS), Social Welfare Department and Mission Shakti (Hub for Empowerment of Women) offices located below the District Transport Office, were identified as being at immediate risk due to the possibility of structural failure, landslides and related disasters.
