Flood Situation Remains Grim in Arunachal Pradesh

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Incessant monsoon rains in the past couple of days has lashed several districts of Arunachal Pradesh with reports of flood and landslides, even as the Guwahati-based regional meteorological centre has predicted more rainfall in northeastern States.

The flood havoc so far has claimed two lives in Tawang district while a person went missing after cloudburst in Singchung area of West Kameng district on July 8 last, disaster management director Kanto Danggen informed. Two houses, including a government quarter, were damaged in West Kameng while another house was collapsed in West Siang district due to incessant rainfall, but there has been no report of any human casualty.

The situation at Dambuk subdivision of Lower Dibang Valley district also remained grim as torrential rains for the last few days have affected surface communication and river water has inundated agriculture and horticulture fields, damaging crops. It is reported that most of the rivers and streams in the area are in high spate. Relief materials for flood affected people of Paglam have reached Tarotamak Ghat for further distribution. The district headquarters Roing has been reeling under darkness for last four days.

Local MLA Gum Tayeng had inspected the upstream flood protection walls against the Dibang river, and Bomjir area, which has been inundated by the Sisiri river. Paglam circle is the worst affected and is cut off from the district headquarters. The district administration is trying to mitigate the problems by providing basic needs like rice and bottled water to the affected people. The administration has also issued an advisory on the dos and don’ts to be followed by the public for their safety.

An under construction protection wall at Jangdo Pere Gompa at Jang in Tawang was totally washed away by flood water while a few households in Jyotipur and Dumpani villages in Changlang district were affected due to spillage of water from Noa-Dehing river, Danggen informed adding, a team has been assessing damage whose report is expected soon.

Several dwelling houses have also collapsed in the state capital, while commuters have been facing tough time due to road blockage and collapse of portion of NH-415. Chayantajo, the remote ADC headquarters in East Kameng district is reportedly cut off after major portions of the Seppa-Chayangtajo road were washed away at numerous places.

Besides landslide, falling of rock and boulders is also resulting in heavy blockage, and complete road formation being washed out at various chainages, leading to cutting of transportation between Seppa and Chayangtajo town.

A report from Namsai district informed that Lekang MLA Jummum Ete Deori visited the flood-affected areas in Lekang circle on Monday to take stock of the flood situation. She visited Dirak Miri, Rangaleebeel, New Silatoo and Philobari villages with Circle Officer NL Naa, the water resource department (WRD) executive engineer, and other officers.

Deori also visited the relief camp set up by the district administration at Silatoo Kosarigaon, where two families, consisting of 10 members, are being sheltered and provided with ration and other essential items.

Also Read: Floods Ravage Paglam, Schools Closed for a Week