Toll in Arunachal landslides rises to 17

Itanagar, Jun 16 (UNI) With two more people succumbing to their injuries today, the toll in Saturday's landslides at Itanagar and its adjoining areas has swelled upto 17.

Official sources, while confirming the figure, however said there could be more cases of causalties as several bodies could not yet be recovered or death reports not received.

Massive landslides, triggered by torrential rains, left a trail of destruction in Arunachal's capital on Saturday morning, snapping water and power supply and road connectivity.

Besides claiming 17 lives, the catastrophe also washed away over 250 houses at the bank of river Dikrong and property loss worth over several crores.

National Highway 52A, the lifeline of the capital complex, was closed for traffic as the road caved in various locations. However, the road was cleared last afternoon.

The state capital and its adjoining areas reeled under complete darkness since the past two days as several high-tension electric poles were uprooted.

However, the electricity department, since last evening was able to provide power supply to certain localities of the capital city temporarily.

Saturday's disaster also snapped water supply throughout the capital as many pipes were damaged due to mud slips.

The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) had pressed its manpower into service on war footing to restore water supply.

It would, however, take two more days, sources at the department informed, adding that arrangements were made to supply drinking water through tankers.

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