Rains continue to wreak havoc in Arunachal Pradesh

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Incessant rain in the last couple of days has triggered landslides and floods in several districts of Arunachal Pradesh, throwing life out of gear.

So far, four people died in the State capital due to landslides triggered by incessant rain, while the body of a woman who was buried along with two others in a landslide near Punjabi Dhaba here on Sunday night, is yet to be recovered despite, continuous rescue operations for the last three days, Capital SP Jimmy Chiram informed.

Torrential rain has flooded the river Lohit and its tributaries in the Lohit district, inundating several low-lying areas, officials from the district informed on Wednesday.

The river, which is in high spate, is also threatening areas including Machuwa camp, Tezu Khola, Jhalukbari and 32 Miles, the officials said.

The District Disaster Management Office (DDMO) has issued an advisory to the people residing close to the river bank, not to venture into the river or any other vulnerable pockets for fishing or any other activities.

"The department has been on strict vigil and is ready to face any eventually arising out of the situation," Lohit Deputy Commissioner (DC) Marge Sora informed.

The DC added that so far 35 families have been shifted to temporary relief camps at Tezu, the district headquarters.

"Adequate ration and other essentials items are being provided by the administration and so far no loss of life and properties were reported in the district," he said.

Landslides also snapped water supply in the capital complex region comprising, Itanagar Naharlagun, Nirjuli and Banderdewa areas.

PHE and Water Sanitation (Itanagar division) executive engineer Tadar Mangku informed that water supply to Itanagar has been disrupted since Monday night following damage caused to the 450 mm diameter main supply line connecting the Poma water treatment plant.

"Though efforts are being made to locate the point of damage, which is possibly inside the jungle, we were not able to it due to continuous downpour," Mangku said.

The officer added that besides Itanagar, various water supply lines of Naharlagun have also been snapped due to continuous downpour.

"Men and machinery along with the required materials have already been pressed into service at various points to restore the lines," Mangku said.

It was further informed that water supply to the Upper ESS Sector, Donyi Polo Colony, Dokum Colony, F-Sector, F & G Sector, Doordarshan Colony, Donyi Polo School area, Gohpur area, Chandranagar, Vivek Vihar, Dera Natung College area, IRBN colony, Police colony, of Itanagar would be affected until the restoration is complete. In Naharlagun, the affected areas include B-Sector, helipad area, A-Sector, Papu Hill, Pappu Nallah, Press colony, Pachin Colony, Transport GM office area, Yupia Tinali, Barapani, Takar Colony, etc.

"Efforts are being made to restore the water supply lines at the earliest," Mangku said, adding that water tankers would be pressed into service wherever possible. Surface communication between Itanagar and Ziro in the Lower Subansiri district via Potin remained affected due to landslides at several portions, officials said. Landslides were also reported at Karsingsa block point along the Itanagar-Banderdewa NH 415, Itanagar Gompa (monastery) and RWD Colony here.

Reports of landslides and floods are also reported from several other districts of the State.

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