Nagaland one of the most multi-hazard prone states of India

1st report on Nagaland Disaster Statistics 2023 released

Our Correspondent
Kohima |Nov 1

Nagaland Chief Secretary J Alam today released 1st report on Nagaland Disaster Statistics 2023 published by the Directorate of Economics & Statistics, which among others, highlighted that the state is one of the most multi-hazard prone states of India.

It was released during NEPEx Capacity Development Programme at ATI Kohima in the presence of Mohammed Ali Shihab A, Secretary to Government of Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha, Principal Secretary & Home Commissioner, Lhouchalie Viya, Commissioner & Secretary For Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Neidilhou Angami, Director DE&S and several other dignitaries.

“Let this report serve as a catalyst, igniting a commitment to evidence-based decision making, collaborative effort, and a safer state,” penned Nagaland’s Information Technology & Communication, Economics & Statistics and Evaluation Advisor H Sethrongkyu Sangtam in the publication.

The state faces various types of natural hazard like the geological hazard of earthquake and landslide, the hydrological hazards of flash floods, storms, hailstorms and cloudbursts and the climatologically hazards of droughts and forest fire.

“Therefore, the need of systematic data on disaster mitigation and prevention has become an increasing concern for the government. The holistic management of disasters requires analytical data on hazards, risks and vulnerabilities of different Natural and Man-Made (human induced) disasters at all levels,” the report stated.

Over the years, while the Nagaland government has been addressing various challenges faced by the state, however, lack of proper mechanism to collect, compile, validate disaster statistics has been a great hindrance especially to policy makers, it said. 

Therefore, the report has been prepared to analyse the temporal and geographical trends in disaster impact and also help the policy makers in shaping policies, allocate resources effectively, prioritise vulnerable areas and optimize our disaster management efforts, it added. 

Five-group categorisation

The report has been categorised into five groups based on the recommendation of the High Power Committee on Disaster Management.

Water and climate related disasters: These include  floods and drainage management, cyclones, tornadoes and hurricanes, hailstorm, cloud burst, heat wave and cold wave, snow avalanches,  droughts, sea erosion, thunder and lightning and tsunami.

As per the report, in 2020-21,1437 animals and 2990 poultry died due to severe rain, floods, landslides, and cyclones. 

During 2021-22, 1051 animal and 2290 poultry casualties were reported with Dimapur district recording the highest number.

In 2018-19, 89 irrigation channels spanning 5.95 kilometers were significantly damaged by flash floods and soil erosion. Wokha and Mokokchung districts were worst affected.

In 2019-20, 1210.16 hectares of agricultural crops were extensively affected by various calamities like flash floods, strong winds, drought, hailstorms, and excessive/scanty rainfall.

During 2021-22, 104052.95 hectares of agricultural crops faced adversity primarily due to an extended period of drought.
In 2019-20, storms and hailstorms damaged 680 acres of horticultural crops.

During 2020-21, 1169.41 acres were affected by drought, soil erosion, hailstorms, and flash floods.

The toll increased significantly in 2021-22 with 5451 acres of horticultural crop areas decimated by various disasters.

In 2020-21, six High Tension Lines were interrupted impacting approximately 189 kilometers of supply lines and 10 substations faced disruptions.

In 2021-22, eight High Tension Lines spanning 233.8 kilometers suffered interruptions, while 13 substations endured 12 days of disruption. Disruptions were mainly due to heavy rain, storms, lightning and thunderstorms.

Geological related disasters: The report stated that landslides and mudflows, Earthquakes, Dam failures /Dam burst and Minor fires have not only endangered human lives but also had a significant impact on livestock in Nagaland.

In 2021-22, 18 animals were affected and 9 animal casualties were reported in the Noklak district due to landslides.

Incessant rains and landslides have damaged electricity transmission lines, towers, distribution towers and transformers in Nagaland.

Instances of electricity supply disruptions occurred in 2019-20 and 2020-21 highlighting the vulnerability of power infrastructure to natural disasters and the need for robust measures to safeguard against such disruptions.

The region’s croplands in Kiphire and Zunheboto districts have been severely impacted by incessant rain and landslides. 

Significant damage occurred to various crops, such as Hollock, khokon trees, fishery ponds, and Cardamom plants in different years. The National Highway Road in Kohima suffered extensive damage in 2021-22 due to high-intensity rainfall, the report stated.

Accident related disasters: The category included forest fires, Urban fires, Mine flooding, Oil spills, Major building collapse, Serial bomb blasts,  Festival related disasters, Electrical disasters and fires, Air, road and rail accidents, Boat capsizing and village fire.

In 2021-22, 83 fire disasters were reported, including 78 shops, one hotel and four other commercial buildings. Among the districts, Dimapur registered the highest number of fire incidents.

The provided data shows that from 2019-20 to 2021-22 there were a total of 43 reported cases of electrocution.

The report stated that electrocution refers to fatal electric shocks caused by contact with high-voltage electrical sources.

The report stated that Nagaland’s rich flora and fauna face significant threats from wildfires.

In 2019-20 around 7000 Areca nut plants covering 10 acres were destroyed by wildfires while in 2020-21, 19880 coffee plants covering 24.7 acres suffered the same fate.

Biological related disasters: It refers to Biological disasters and epidemics, Pest attacks, Cattle epidemics and Food poisoning.

During 2020-21, the Department of Health and Family Welfare recorded cases of diarrhea and dysentery with 12,882 and 183 cases respectively. However in 2021-22, the number of diarrhea cases decreased significantly to 2878 due to the disruptive influence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The years 2019-20 and 2020-21 saw cases of malaria, dengue, AES, and scrub typhus in Nagaland. The numbers remained relatively stable for malaria and dengue, but scrub typhus cases increased from 664 to 1485 in 2020-21. However in 2021-22, there was a decline in cases with 8 malaria cases, 24 dengue cases, and 753 scrub typhus cases.

Nagaland like the rest of India was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020-21, there were 10312 COVID-19 cases and 79 deaths. In 2021-22 the battle against the virus persisted with 20274 cases and 607 deaths.

Pest attacks and diseases caused damage to horticultural crops in Nagaland. In 2019-20, 1200 acres were affected which reduced to 598 acres in 2020-21 but increased to 950 acres in 2021-22. Dimapur district consistently reported the highest level of damage during all three periods.

The Department of Agriculture reported extensive pest infestation on agricultural land in Nagaland during 2020-21. A total of 49,448.85 hectares were affected with Wokha and Mon districts being the most affected, the report stated.

The fifth category was chemical & industrial and nuclear disaster. The state is yet to experience the same.