Discourses From the East
While people in Assam are yet to overcome the trauma of the floods of July 19–20 this year, news from upstream Nagaland was enough to cause fresh anxiety. A voice message circulating from Nagaland claimed that around 80% of the Dikhow River—known as the Dikhu in Nagaland—had been blocked by landslides somewhere between Yongshei and Yaongyimsen villages in Longleng district, with only about 20% of the water reportedly being discharged downstream.
The report triggered speculation that if the blockage were to suddenly give way, a huge volume of water could rush downstream, potentially causing devastating flooding in Assam. The Sivasagar district administration also circulated an alert message on the night of September 30, adding to the concern among people living downstream.
However, the situation was subsequently clarified by Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi through a post on his Facebook account. Gogoi said there was no reason to panic and that the Dikhu was flowing normally. He based his statement on the findings of a spot-verification team that had visited the area where of a potentially dangerous flood surge in downstream Assam was later reported to be a normal flow situation the landslide was reportedly believed to have obstructed the river.
What Did the Team See At the Spot?
Lamjai reached out to the Village Council and VDB (Village Development Board) in Yongshei who were involved in the spot verification. Tenau Phom, the secretary of Yongshei VDB told Lamjai that the landslide occurred at a virgin forest which is around 5 kilometers away from Yongshei. He also told Lamjai that the incident came to notice after some fishermen observed it. He also added that the landslide at the spot has been going on for about a week.
However, Tenau said that they can’t recognize the voice in the message that was received in Assam that alerted about 80% blockage of the river and of an even bigger tragedy in downstream areas including Assam that that of July.
Lamjai also reached out to the chairman of Yongshei Village Council Mr. Thingyang. He led a team to the spot for examining the situation. Mr. Thingyang out rightly rejected a looming danger in the downstream areas from the spot in both Nagaland and Assam.
“The landslide spot is near Yaongyimsen village, near to Yongshei where the Dikhu flows through a relatively plain terrain. The flow of water doesn’t look worrying.”—he said.
Thingyang also agreed that the landslide is continuing for a week now after the spells of rain that lashed the area. Even if it is out of danger now, what is in the near future can’t be said with certainty, Thingyang spelled.
Massive Landslide in July
Thingyang also pointed out to something that can be considered to have serious consequences regarding the unprecedented flood that devastated parts of Assam in July. He told Lamjai that there was massive landslide in Yongnyah, neighbouring Yongshei which blocked a small stream locally known as the Shepe river. “We could see the rise of water level”—Thingyang remarked. The Shepe eventually meets the Dikhu River and has reportedly caused significant damage to agricultural land in Chingong village in previous years.
