Apang monitors relief operation in landslide-hit Gelling

Itanagar, Apr 19 (UNI) Braving torrential rain, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang yesterday personally monitored the relief operations being conducted at landslide affected Gelling under Upper Siang district of the state.

According to official sources here today, landslides followed by torrential rain hit Gelling bordering China, on April 13 and 14 damaging thousand acres of wet rice cultivation and jhum cultivation besides two school buildings, one Buddhist Gompa, one private residence, a rice mill and a hydel project were washed out.

''I am sad and pained to see people losing everything. These people are our sentinels for ages and today they stand without anything,'' Mr Apang, who took relief materials including medicines to provide succor to the victims said.

Though the helicopters were kept ready at Dibrugarh in Asom for evacuation of the affected people, torrential rain hampered the air operation, sources informed. However, large number of affected people including 30 women and 20 children were evacuated by road from Gelling to Tuting, sources added.

Under the direction of the Chief Minister, Upper Siang district Deputy Commissioner and circle officer of Gelling were constantly monitoring the rescue operation and taking all possible measures to provide relief and evacuate affected people despite road block between Tuting and Gelling, sources informed.

Meanwhile, a team of doctors reached Gelling yesterday with adequate medicines to provide medical care to the affected people, sources added.

UNI UPB BA SRB DS1321