Members of the Voice of ENPO with rice bags in Kiphire on Wednesday. Photo: Northeast Now

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the state so far has received more than Rs 2.33 crore from over 40,000 donors from across the country via the chief minister’s relief fund to help the flood and landslides affected people of the state.

“Thank you for your contribution towards Chief Minister Relief Fund & helping those affected by #NagalandFloods and landslides across #Nagaland. Thank you for standing by Nagaland. I hope people will continue to #DonateForNagaland & help Nagaland get back to normalcy,” the chief minister tweeted.

The monsoon rains hit Nagaland hard this year, putting almost the entire state into an emergency-like situation with the most affected being the state capital Kohima, Kiphire, Phek, and Tuensang districts. According to the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) report, at least 12 lives were lost, 532 villages and 48,821 families affected, and 359 roads damaged. The state government said Rs 800 crore would be required to restore the damages.

Rio had sought help from the central government and well wishers earlier last month. However, it received lukewarm response from the public with the chief minister’s relief fund getting only Rs 2. 33 crore from August 31 to September 8.

Nagaland governor PB Acharya also expressed ‘disappointment’ at the meagre donation the state had received.

The Centre’s damage-assessment team consisting of five members had visited the state from September 4 to 7 and had asked the district authorities to submit the damage report within a week.

Meanwhile, the Voice of Eastern Nagaland Public Organisation (ENPO) and well-wishers, led by Dr Angto Phom, Naga Hospital Kohima, reached Kiphire town with two trucks carrying 400 bags of rice on Wednesday.

According to Phom, the Voice of ENPO and well-wishers have tied up to provide support to the flood-affected people with some essential commodities. The recent flood and landslides completely cut off the roads in Kiphire district. He also informed that the Voice of ENPO and well-wishers sent one mini truck load of rice to Tobu town in Mon district.

Bhadra Gogoi is Northeast Now Correspondent in Nagaland. He can be reached at: [email protected]