Heavy rainfall has once again brought flooding to Zuvotong Colony in Wokha Town, Nagaland. The residents are no strangers to this annual problem, as waterlogging becomes a persistent issue due to inadequate drainage systems and infrastructure.
Speaking with Nagaland Tribune, Thungchanbemo Lotha, Chairman of Zuvotong Colony, highlighted the recurring challenge. “Every year, we face the same problem,” he said. “The lack of proper drainage systems and inadequate infrastructure makes it difficult for us to manage the water during heavy rains.”
The issue began when a culvert at the junction connecting Blue Hill and National Highway 2 was damaged during the ongoing expansion of the highway. Initially, it was promised that a bigger and better culvert would be constructed to ensure smooth water flow. However, a smaller culvert was built instead, which has been insufficient since last year’s monsoon season.
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Thungchanbemo Lotha explained that three council chairmen from Zuvotong, upper Zuvotong, and Blue Hill Colony sent a report along with photographs of the situation to the then Deputy Commissioner of Wokha in 2022. Despite this, there was no response or action from the authorities. As a result, they decided to dismantle the culvert.
The culvert remained unfilled for three to four months without any positive outcome. Concerned citizens urged the authorities to fill it up, but their pleas went unheard. Finally, the colonies hired an excavator and filled the culvert with the same pipe that was too small to serve its purpose.
Today’s heavy rainfall has caused significant damage to homes in Zuvotong Colony. Water entered several residences, causing personal property to be ruined. A frustrated resident expressed their frustration: “This happens every monsoon, and it feels like no one is listening to our problems.”
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The streets turned into dangerous waterlogged traps due to large potholes filled with rainwater. This not only disrupted daily life but also posed serious risks to both pedestrians and vehicles. The absence of a proper drainage system is at the root of the colony’s persistent woes.
The row of shops in the colony has been severely affected, with floodwaters entering the premises and forcing temporary closures due to water damage. Besides Zuvotong Colony, other colonies in Wokha Town were also affected by the heavy rains on Monday. A landslide occurred at PWD Colony blocking the Wokha District Hospital Road.
