Aizwal: The Mizoram government has urged the Centre to strengthen disaster management support and expedite approval of several pending proposals, including declaring African Swine Fever (ASF) a notified disaster under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF).
The demand was raised by Mizoram Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Minister Lalnilawma during a meeting with officials of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in New Delhi on Monday, according to an official statement.
A key proposal submitted by the state is to designate ASF as a notified disaster under the SDRF, a move that would enable better compensation for pig farmers affected by the disease. The State Disaster Management Authority had already approved the proposal before being forwarded to the NDMA.
During the meeting, Lalnilawma also sought the Centre’s approval for several disaster mitigation and rehabilitation projects pending with the Union government.
Among the proposals is a request for Rs. 21 crore in Central Special Assistance for rehabilitation work following landslides in Lawngtlai’s Bazar Veng area and Chandmari in Aizawl.
The minister also pursued a proposal seeking Rs. 95.76 crore under Phase I of the National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Programme (NERMP) to strengthen earthquake preparedness in Aizawl, Lunglei, Serchhip, Champhai and Siaha districts.
In addition, he sought approval for the state’s final project proposal seeking Rs. 50 crore under the National Landslide Risk Mitigation Programme (NLRMP) for mitigation works in Ngaizel in Aizawl and parts of Serchhip, Champhai and Siaha districts.
Lalnilawma also submitted Mizoram’s Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) Report for 2021–2025 to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to officials, the report assesses the impact of major disasters that affected the state over the past five years, including Cyclone Remal, widespread floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall, the bamboo flowering (Mautam)-induced rodent infestation that damaged crops, and the African Swine Fever outbreak.
The assessment estimates physical damage at Rs. 644.71 crore and economic losses at Rs. 645.49 crore, while projecting that Rs. 873.22 crore will be required for recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation.