Villagers of East Siang district take up flood control measures

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: People of Kongkul and New Borguli villages under Namsing circle of East Siang district, about 45-km from Pasighat, the district headquarters, conducted major flood control/diversion work by making porcupine spurs since three days on self-help basis. Flash floods, which often hit the villages, prompted the residents to act without waiting for State Government aid.

Many porcupine spurs were erected along Kongkul village by using trees, wood, bamboos and other items. The spurs were built at striking river points to serve as repellent during flash flood. New Borguli villagers followed suit by using JCBs and tractors.

It may be recalled that massive flash flood of the mighty Siang River had triggered massive soil erosion damaging agricultural fields and washing away dwelling houses last year.

The villagers of this area including parts of Assam along downstream suffer a lot for which the State Government had announced Rs 35 crore for flood control measures along the left bank side of the Siang river to save the villages, but fund is yet not released as the model code of conduct (MCC) is in force.

DC Dr Kinny Singh along with SEEANG foundation secretary general group captain (Rtd) Mohonto Panging, DDMO G Tsumo, WRD EE, T Jamoh, among others, inspected the site to take stock of work progress. She lauded the villagers for their voluntary services.

Awaiting sanction, SEEANG committee, looking after flood protection works along left bank, will continue to build small spurs to check soil erosion, Panging said, adding release of sanctioned fund by the DoNER Ministry after the MCC is lifted would be of great help.

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