Lumla goes ‘dry’ as flash floods damage water supply structures

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Water supply structures at various water sources were severely damaged owing to flash floods triggered by a cloudburst on Sunday last, rendering Lumla in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, water less.

Water supply structures like headworks and pre-sedimentation tanks at all the nine water taping points (WTPs) of the three stream sources have been destroyed beyond repair. Turbulent streams washed away structures and GI pipes which are reportedly untraceable.

The three stream sources – FC Nallah, Mangnam Nallah and Dobley Gonpa – are the prime sources of water supply for Lumla township and Kharteng village.

Lumla sub-divisional headquarter (including Old and New Lumla), Manpat bazaar, Mangnam, Dolma Lakhang, Moyu, Officer’s Colony and Kharteng village are the worst affected.

“Temporary restoration works are on war footing despite minimum available resources in the subdivision. However for a permanent restoration and complete rectification, government aid is highly required,” stated Tumba Ingo, assistant engineer, PHE & Water Supply Department. “The department, at present, is unable to provide potable water to the consumers of entire Lumla township and its periphery and Kharteng village as our WTP remains cut off from all the feeder sources,” he said. Water tankers have been engaged for supplying water to colonies and villages with assistance from GREF, the AE informed.

Meanwhile, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Lumla has been apprised of the calamity and a detailed report of the damages estimated at Rs 2 crore as been submitted by the department.