A district-level monsoon preparedness meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner's Chamber in Nagaland's Kohima district on Wednesday to review readiness measures ahead of the upcoming rainy season, with officials emphasising coordinated action to mitigate landslides, road disruptions, and other seasonal hazards.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, B. Henok Buchem, NCS, and attended by Senior Superintendent of Police, Kohima, Krodi Rhetso, NPS, along with officials from PWD, NHIDCL, DDMA, Health & Family Welfare department, Food and Civil Supplies, Police, district administration and other line departments.
Discussions focused primarily on the condition of ongoing road maintenance and construction works, especially along vulnerable stretches such as Kezanu and Liezocha, which are prone to landslides and traffic disruptions.
Officials also reviewed the status of alternative routes to ensure uninterrupted connectivity in the event of highway blockages.
Addressing the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner noted that Kohima faces fire incidents during winter and multiple hazards such as landslides, road blockages, and infrastructure damage during the monsoon.
He stressed the importance of adopting a collaborative and non-blame approach while learning from past experiences to improve preparedness and response mechanisms.
Concerns were raised over frequent vehicle breakdowns, poor road conditions marked by potholes and sinking zones, and steep gradients along certain highway stretches, particularly between Liezocha and Kezanu.
Police officials pointed out that stranded heavy vehicles often lead to severe traffic congestion and pose safety risks.
To address the issues, the meeting directed that critical road stretches be repaired within a week, with continuous maintenance through stone filling and metalling works.
Deployment of excavators and towing vehicles on a full-time basis was also emphasised, along with the designation of nodal officers for better coordination during emergencies.
Traffic regulation within Kohima also emerged as a key issue, with reports of heavy vehicles entering town before designated time and unauthorized parking near entry points.
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Authorities discussed stricter enforcement, extension of no-entry timings, and shifting of holding zones closer to Jotsoma bypass to ease congestion.
The meeting also reviewed landslide-prone areas along the National Highway and stressed the need for pre-positioning machinery, clearing debris, and strengthening vulnerable slopes ahead of the monsoon.
Urban infrastructure challenges, particularly blocked drainage systems caused by waste dumping and pipeline obstructions, were highlighted as critical concerns.
On disaster preparedness, officials from the Disaster Management Authority informed that the Incident Response System (IRS) is already in place, supported by Quick Response Teams and trained community volunteers.
Automatic Weather Stations installed at multiple locations, are operational, while coordination is being maintained through control rooms and the State Emergency Operations Centre.
The meeting also highlighted concerns regarding the lack of adequate buffer stock for essential supplies during emergencies. Departments were advised to develop mechanisms for maintaining adequate reserves and coordinating with agencies.