Landslides Hit Itanagar, Two Seriously Injured

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Two persons were critically injured while many vehicles have been damaged, when a massive landslide hit Itanagar on Wednesday morning, a top police official said.

The persons identified as Tarin Mosu (40) and Biri Tath (55), were admitted to the Ramakrishna Mission Hospital (RKMH) here with hand and head injuries, Capital Superintendent of Police (SP) Tumme Amo said.

The mudslips triggered by incessant rain occurred at 8.45 am along the NH-415 near the police headquarters here. The highway remained blocked for several hours but later was cleared for traffic by five excavators pressed in the rescue operation along with personnel from State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and State police. Home Minister Bamang Felix visited the site to monitor the rescue operation. He also met the injured persons at the hospital and assured all possible help from the government’s end.

Felix extended his gratitude to the people who came forward and volunteered in saving precious lives and appealed to the people to be vigilant, active and be prepared during the monsoon and stay away from flood and landslide prone areas to avert any eventualities. The NH-415 is the lifeline of the dwellers of Itanagar and Naharlagun as it is an alternate route to connect the northeastern State with neighbouring Assam.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed grave concern over rains posing danger to life and properties of the people and disrupting normal life across the State. He expressed shock and pain on the reported incidents of landslides in the State and assured government support to those injured in the calamity besides providing gratuitous relief to all victims as per norms.

Khandu in a statement called for concerted efforts of all district administration, police, disaster management department, work departments in averting disaster. He also appealed for active participation of civil societies in expediting restoration of amenities to the extent possible despite all odds.

The Chief Minister further asserted that essential services would be made available to the citizens at the earliest. While cautioning people living in flood and landslide prone area to be alert, he urged the commuters travelling on landslide-prone zones to be extra careful and to strictly adhere to the instructions issued by local administrations from time to time.

“The government is privy to the situation and has put in place measures to tackle any untoward incident. Though we may not always succeed in tackling nature’s fury but with people’s co-operation, many precious lives and valuable properties can be saved,” he added in the statement.

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