• Loreni Tsanglao, NET Correspondent, Nagaland 

The Inter- Ministerial Central team on their visit to Kohima district convened a meeting with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and line departments at DC’s Office Kohima on Friday.

The team was led by Director CWC Sudhir Kumar, Under Secretary Food and PD, Krishi Bhawan, Ram Chandra, Assistant Director, MNCF/DA, FW, Dr. Pradeep Kumar.

During the briefing and interaction with the line department officials, the central team said the purpose of their visit was for assessment of drought situation in Nagaland.

The team requested the Agri and Public Health Engineering (PHE) department to developed an action plan prior to the monsoon and reoccurrence of drought like situation in Kohima district to assist the farmers in the cultivation in case of delayed or no rain which would affect the cultivated plots and ultimately resulted to lost of economy for the farmers.

It also requested the department to assist sustainable resource of water  throughout the year not only in Kohima town but to rural people as well. Further the team requested the department of Animal husbandry to have preparedness in case of drought and epidemic situations in the state.

DDMA Kohima also highlighted on drought like situations in the state and drought mitigation measures undertaken during 2021. Measures to mitigate water scarcity in Kohima town undertaken by PHED, Urban Division Kohima was also highlighted.

It also highlighted on the 1465.4 acre of agricultural crops affected by drought situation during the 2020-2021 in Kohima district where 65 villages mostly from northern areas were reported to be affected.

The Deputy Commissioner and DDMA Chairman – Gregory Thejawelie IAS also spoke  at the meeting. The officials from the departments of Agriculture, Fisheries, PHE, RD, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry and Land Resource attended the meeting.

Following the briefing, the team along with DDMA officials and line departments visited the drought hit site at Gariphema village, Kohima for spot verification under the initiatives of DDMA.

The central team interacted with the farmers and encouraged them to upgrade their cultivating system. It was informed that 30-40 household at the village were affected by the drought.