With monsoon season just around the corner, Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the state is fully prepared. During a crucial monsoon preparedness meeting held on May 20, 2025, CM Rio issued key directives, emphasizing timely action as paramount to mitigating potential disasters.
Assessing Essential Supplies Across Districts
One of the Chief Minister’s top priorities is to prevent any shortages of vital goods. He has instructed officials to conduct a thorough assessment of essential commodities across all districts before the heavy rains begin. As chairman of the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Dr. Rio stressed that any complaints from villages or towns regarding shortages must be reported immediately. He also called for strict monitoring of fair price shops to safeguard consumer rights.
Focus on Road Safety and Infrastructure
Roads are always a major concern during monsoon, and CM Rio addressed this directly. He directed the PWD department to determine the maximum load trucks can carry on National Highways and to strictly monitor this during the rainy season. To ensure smooth traffic flow in towns and on highways, he advised the administration and police to deploy teams of officers and Dobashis for routine road checks.
Furthermore, CM Rio underscored the importance of restoring the State Quality Control Board in Nagaland as soon as possible, highlighting the need for robust infrastructure.
Cross-District Coordination & Emergency Funds
To get real-time updates, the Chief Minister instructed the Chief Secretary to hold a video-conference with all Deputy Commissioners to assess the status of essential commodities and overall preparedness across the districts.
Roads & Bridges Minister G. Kaito Aye also weighed in, stressing that the people of Nagaland expect good, resilient roads. He urged NHIDCL to take serious responsibility and identify areas requiring immediate restoration and repair. Minister Aye also made a crucial request to the disaster management department: to set aside a specific amount of funds for emergency response, readily available for any department dealing with public welfare during the monsoon. The Mechanical Department was also asked to update on the status of available machinery.
Building Stronger Roads: The Importance of Soil Testing
Public Health Engineering Minister Jacob Zhimomi highlighted Nagaland’s “very watery” soil condition. He emphasized the critical need for strict protocols and soil testing during road construction to ensure durability and sustainability. He advised contractors to leave no residue on roads once the surface is complete, a small detail that can make a big difference.
What the Forecast Says?
During the meeting, NSDMA joint chief executive officer Johnny Ruangmei presented a power point on “Monsoon 2025 forecasting for Nagaland,” indicating that the state will experience un-uniform and erratic rainfall patterns, which could impact crop plantation. Ruangmei emphasized that a proactive disaster risk reduction approach, combined with preparedness, data-driven planning, and community engagement, can significantly reduce potential risks.
Presentations were also given by PWD (R&B) and NHIDCL on “Monsoon preparedness and resilient of road infrastructure sector,” by HG, CD&SDRF/NDRF on “preparedness of emergency response agencies,” by H&FW on “preparedness of health personnel and infrastructure,” and by F&CS department on “essential commodities and preparedness.”
It’s clear that Nagaland is taking a comprehensive approach to monsoon preparedness, aiming to safeguard its citizens and infrastructure against the upcoming rainy season.
As Nagaland braces for the upcoming monsoon season, the directives from Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio underscore a proactive and comprehensive strategy. From ensuring adequate essential commodities and robust road infrastructure to strengthening emergency response and refining ILP implementation, the state government, in collaboration with various departments and community organizations, is clearly committed to mitigating potential challenges. The focus on inter-departmental coordination, community engagement, and data-driven planning reflects a determination to build a more resilient Nagaland.
With the monsoon now firmly on the horizon, these preparations are vital. Nagaland is taking a unified approach to safeguard its citizens and ensure essential services remain uninterrupted through the heavy rains.