The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home department in collaboration with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Tuensang have set up relief camps for the victims of the severe landslide and land sinking at Phinjang sector and NST Ward in Tuensang. According to the NSDMA around 200 households have been affected by the disaster.

The Authority informed in a press release that the relief camps were set up on 1st August 2024 at C Khel, Tuensang Village ground, Youth Hall and Old Church and so far, 69 people from 11 families, 34 children and 35 adults, have registered to stay in the relief camps. More people are expected to register at the relief camp in the coming days, the NSDMA said. Earlier, evacuation order was given by the DDMA for houses at risk due to the landslide and land sink.

The Authority has stated that the setting up of the relief camps addresses the immediate need for shelter, food and medical assistance and that the response has been organized and effective adhering to the Incident Response System (IRS) to maximize efficiency and support. Relief operations are being done in close collaboration with the respective ward leaders to streamline and ensure no victim is left out, it added.

Further, the NSDMA informed that assessments and ongoing support are being closely monitored and that it has also sent to DDMA Tuensang a technical team for investigation in the landslide affected site to take stock of possible method of mitigation work.

“Based on informed sources, almost all the areas where many families have been evacuated by events of landslide in many other districts such as Mon, Zunheboto, Mokokchung, Kohima as well as Tuensang were sites which were not safe for human settlement because of the terrain and geological factors”, the Authority stated.

Furthermore, while assuring that the Nagaland Government is addressing the immediate need of the affected people and working to alleviate the difficulties faced by the people, it reminded that that reducing the residual risk is the everyone’s responsibility and uncertainty should not be a reason for inaction to build safer and resilient communities. The NSDMA has advised the public to exercise abundant caution and not to settle in vulnerable areas as it will endanger human life and loss of lifetime savings and properties.