Flood batters Aruchal, 42 families evacuated from Diyun

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, July 24: With no improvement in the weather condition, the flood situation in several districts of Aruchal Pradesh deteriorated with reports of fresh areas being inundated by flood water while, over 100 families rendered homeless and properties worth crore of rupees damaged.

Deputy Chief Minister Chow Mein who air-dashed to the state capital on Saturday from New Delhi on the directive of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, visited the flood affected districts of Lohit, msai, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley and Changlang to take stock of the situation Khandu taking serious note of the prevailing situation asked Mein to visit the areas to ensure proper relief operations and to access the flood damages in real time. He also asked Mein to evaluate the post-flood scerio and instill confidence on the local population, an official report informed.

Khandu, who is persolly monitoring the situation closely, had earlier deputed MLAs Dr Mohesh Chai, Chow Zingnu mchoom and Laisam Simai to take stock of the flood situation in their respective districts.

Mein is also in constant touch with the local legislators of the affected areas and has asked them to expedite the relief works. “Leave no stone unturned in order to help mitigate the problem,” Mein said and asked the MLAs to ensure and direct the officials of district administration that relief reaches the victims at the earliest.

Mein appealed the people to remain calm, careful and stay vigilant. He assured that the government would provide all assistance to the flood-hit districts for carrying out relief and restoration work. He also assured that all possible assistance would be provided to the affected people.

The Noa-Dehing River has flooded the entire Lekang circle while flood water badly affected the entire msai Township and its adjoining villages, mostly under Piyong circle. The water level of Noa-Dehing and Jengthu rivers are flowing above the danger mark, a report from msai said. The flood situation under Chongkham circle also remains grim as the water level of the Lohit, Kamlang, Berreng, Tengapani rivers and its tributaries are rapidly increasing. The worse affected areas are Gugar, Alubari, Injo, Insa, Pangkhao and Kherem. The flood has resulted massive erosion to the river banks and caused damages to the cultivated land, paddy fields, tea gardens, horticultural fields, live stocks, etc besides rendering many to helpless and homeless.

A report from Roing informed that Lower Dibang Valley district remained cut off following incessant rain in the past few days with the Deopani River in high spate making it iccessible. The Diphu River under Koronu circle is also not crossable as the water level is flowing above the danger mark.

While the water level of Datung, Sine and Sisiri rivers under Dambuk have touched the danger level, there was heavy bank erosion reported in the right bank of Datung river and many villages like Paglam, Bangoo, Keba, Kanling, Anpum and Loklung were affected by flood water. The most vulnerable villages under Diyun circle of Changlang district, Dumpani and Udaipur had to face two extreme flood situations within a span of two months. On Friday night, the lone flood control embankment of the Dumpani village was completely eroded and the Noa-Dihing River has turned towards the village creating islands and devastating Udaipur village on its way, consequently increasing the water level of Jenthu River in msai.

With the direction of the Local legislator, Nikh Kamin who is monitoring the crisis, the police, the Indian Army along with team of Adonoi Mission have rescued 8 families stranded in an island created by the Noa-Dihing River at Dumpani village.

Yesterday 34 families from the village were evacuated and have been put in a temporary shelter at Dumpani Community Hall and in a relief camp at Avoipur village. The most sufferers were some of the families who have lost their houses and lands in the last flood in April this year.

Several other families were currently staying with their relatives in different villages. With this fresh wave of flood, altogether 106 families were being affected at Dumpani village alone.

In Udaipur village, the Noa Dihing River flowing from Dumpani has forced 14 families to break their homes and take shelter at Udaipur Club. Several houses located near the Noa Dihing River and near the newly formed tributary were on the verge of disappearance.  

East Siang DC Isha Khosla held an emergency meeting today with SP Prav Tayal, Chief Councilor (PMC) Kaling Doruk and engineers of PWD, WRD, HW, DMO and DDMO in view of the present flood like situation in the township.

She reviewed preparedness on disaster magement and after having detailed discussions with the officers, the DC stated that proper precautions are to be taken to ensure our ability to meet any such disaster, if occurs, an official communiqué informed.

She instructed the officers not to leave station and give no heed to the rumors mongers. They should update administration and remain prepared to tackle any untoward incident. SP Prav Tayal apprised the DC that he has formed a “Quick Response Team” to tackle disastrous situation and citizens could seek help and share information, the communiqué added.