Nagaland: Flash floods destroy paddy fields in 2 Khonoma villages

Kohima: About 40 paddy fields were reportedly destroyed in a flash flood in Thekrujuma village and Dzüleke under Khonoma, west of Kohima town, in Nagaland.

About 20 farmers in Thekrujuma were affected on Tuesday night when the first flash flood occurred. However, there are no reports of casualty till the filing of this report.

According to SDO (C) Sechü-Zubza, Mhomo Tungoe, the flash flood destroyed huge stretches of paddy fields on both sides of the river banks, spreading over a kilometre. Basic services like road connectivity and electricity, too, were disrupted.

Spot verification of the area found out that the only bridge connecting the village over Chathe river had been washed away along with electric poles supplying electricity to the village on the night.

The administration assessed about 20 affected farmers although accurate assessment could not be ascertained since the connectivity to the village was broken down. Water volume drastically reduced on Thursday and the villagers constructed a foot bridge over the river.

District Disaster Management Authority Kohima was immediately informed about the ground situation and a team of officials from agriculture department were also dispatched the next day, he said.

As per the Thekrujuma village council chairman, Rüüngutuo Kruse, flash flood occurred from above the village affecting almost all the irrigation canals and water source to the paddy fields that were not affected has become a concern. Temporary drinking water connections were made as the water pipeline to the village was destroyed.

Numerous domestic animals were also killed although the actual number is yet to be estimated.

Over 5 km of water connectivity were damaged and water supply to few areas was affected as the Chathe river provides water to the areas of Medziphema town, Medziphema village, Rüzaphema village and SASRD and some other neighbouring places.

A similar incident was reported at Dzüleke under Khonoma village on the same day due to the rise in water volume where over ten paddy fields were destroyed by the flash flood.