Rain claims eight lives in Arunachal

Itanagar, Jun 28 (UNI) At least eight people were feared dead at Rupa area under West Kameng district when several houses were washed away by rain on Thursday, delayed reports received today said. Reports said six bodies had been recovered so from various locations while rescue and search operations were on to trace the other two.

The devastating rain also washed away roads in several places disrupting surface communication to Tawang and West Kameng districts. Fourteen private houses were damaged in Sera and Pedung villages while ten others were washed away at Dukhum Pani Area, reports informed. Though no casualties had been reported at Bomdila, the district headquarters, intake point of two hydro power stations at Rahung and Dukhum Pani were completely washed away. Departmental quarters and stores in the township were also severely damaged in the torrents. Two bailey bridges located at a distance of 16 km from Bomdila was washed away and a culvert located at Sera Nallah on way to Bomdila damaged.

Water supply to the district was badly affected as tanks, pipes and other components were swept away by flash flood in many places.

Landslides in the district also damaged several houses, reports added.

Former minister Japu Deru yesterday called on Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and requested him to provide relief to the victims and pressed all government machineries for early restoration of road communication. The chief minister had directed the West Kameng district administration to do the needful in order to bring succor to the affected people, reports said.

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