Arunachal denies role in Assam's flood

Itanagar, Jun 18 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Government has denied reports of breach of the dam at Ranganadi Hydro-Electric Project (RHEP) at Yazali, which had resulted in flash flood in Assam's Lakhimpur district last Saturday.

Water Resource Development Minister Tako Dabi told newspersons here today that the state government cross-checked the matter with the project authority and found that there was no breach of dam nor had they released any water.

He said the flood in the neighbouring state was because four rivers originating from Arunachal Pradesh-- Ranganadi, Singara, Dikrong and Kakoi-- were overflooded following incessant rain for the last couple of days.

"Such incident is a natural phenomenon in North East and nothing is unusual," he said adding, '' Whenever there is rainfall in Arunachal, Assam experiences flood.'' North Lakhimpur and its adjoining areas on Saturday witnessed the first wave of flood which claimed seven lives besides property losses worth crores of rupees.

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