The extreme weather conditions of heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds on 3rd September 2024 has left a trail of destruction in Tsiepama jurisdiction under Medziphema Sub-division, Chümoukedima district.
Tsipama is situated between Pherima and Piphema and last night’s mudslides on National Highway 29 occurred at the two streams that mark its boundaries – one below the Tsiepama Village, bordering Piphema, and the other one below the Tsiepama Model Village, bordering Pherima.
Seyievizo Visezuo, Chairman, Tsiepama Village, said that last night, the village witnessed a catastrophic storm but by the Grace of the Almighty and prayers of believers, the village and its inhabitants were spared. He however mentioned that the village access road from NH 29 is blocked in several places due to the flooding of the stream which caused mudslide and rockslides, and also by the falling of several of their trees.
Road blockages at Tsiepama Village on 3rd September 2024
Visezuo said that the villagers are actively working to clear their road with the help of a JCB vehicle that happened to be in the village for other work. He expressed uncertainty over how many days it will take to clear the road.
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Meanwhile, in Tsiepama Model Village, in the border of Pherima, the Anganwadi Centre has been completely washed away by the flooding in the stream. A private house was also reportedly damaged in last night’s storm. The road leading to the village is also obstructed by debris carried down from the stream.
Besides these, no casualty or injuries have been reported from Tsiepama Model Village.
Destruction in Tsiepama Model Village on 3rd September 2024 (PC: Visakholhou Chalieu)
Unlike its neighbours, Pherima and Piphema, Tsiepama is not well known because their inhabited areas do not touch NH 29 and because of their concern for the environment, extensive business activities are not encouraged in their land.
A source informed that Tsiepama had witnessed devastation during the uncontrolled logging era which prompted their leaders to initiate conservation of their forests which paid off as currently, they have a massive area of conserved forest and their streams serve as the water lifeline to neighbouring villages and Medziphema.
Destruction in Tsiepama Model Village on 3rd September 2024 (PC: Visakholhou Chalieu)
Mention may be made here that the tunnelling work of around 6 km for the Phase III of the Dhasiri-Kohima new railway line project is undergoing in Tsiepama jurisdiction below the sites of mudslide on NH-29.
