Tuki announces Rs 5 crore for flood relief

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, Sept 14: Aruchal Pradesh Chief Minister bam Tuki on Sunday announced an amount of five crore as an immediate flood relief, for carrying out restoration works to bring life back to normalcy in the affected districts.

Tuki directed the respective district administration and departments to conduct proper assessment of losses and submit details to the State government for further release of fund, an official communiqué said here today.

A high-level team led by the chief minister conducted an aerial survey of seven flood-hit districts in the State on Sunday.

The team was shell-shocked by witnessing the trail of devastations during the over three and half hours survey of flood-wrecked areas, particularly Doimukh, Kimin, Mebo, Diyun, Dambuk, msai, Tezu and worst affected Paglam village.

The team included Ministers Chow Mein and Kamlung Mossang, Parliamentary Secretary Jomde Ke, MLAs Gum Tayeng, Zingnu mchoom and Nikh Kamin.

Relief and rehabilitation commissioner Khapa Kholie and director Y W Ringu, Aruchal Pradesh State Transport GM Abo Tayeng also accompanied the team.

However, Minister Tapang Taloh, lawmakers Lombo Tayeng (Mebo constituency) and Olom Panyang (Mariyang-Geku) joined the team when the Skyone helicopter landed at Pasighat for refueling.

While East Siang deputy commissioner submitted a report on flood damage losses amounting to Rs 14 crore so far, even as the estimation process was still on.

After witnessing that Anpum village under Paglam circle of Lower Dibang Valley district was completely devastated by the merger of Taro Tamuk and Dotung rivers, the chief minister directed to shift the village to a different and safer location.

Necessary funds required for shifting and rehabilitation of the villagers would be made available as soon as the assessment report is received. He directed the district administration to immediately workout plans for shifting and rehabilitation of Anpum village in consultation with the local MLA.

Similar directives were issued for Chiputa village under Likabali which has been totally inundated under debris due to landslide. Half of the Tara-Tama Bridge at Mebo has been washed away while road at various locations have been spped.

It may be recalled that Chief Minister bam Tuki had recently written to Union Minister of Home apprising about the damages in the State. He informed the centre that there have been colossal damages to the infrastructure, roads and bridges, culverts, Power, water supply, communication lines, agriculture and horticulture fields and standing crops including injury and loss of human lives and live stocks etc. due to heavy showers of South west Monsoon for more than five months.

He further apprised that many districts were cut-off from the rest of world for different spells. Tuki had sought for immediate relief assistance to restore the damages and bring life to normalcy. As desired by the Union Ministry, the State government will be submitting a memorandum within this month which shall incorporate details on the losses incurred by the State during this monsoon.