Khandu seeks Centre's aid for rehabilitation work after floods

Itanagar, Jul 9 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has urged the Centre to grant aid for early restoration of essential services following the devastating flashfloods and landslides in the state since June 14.

Official sources said here today that at least 37 persons lost their lives so far in the series of natural calamities in the state.

People were facing acute shortage of essential commodities, including foodgrains, LPG, kerosene, petrol, diesel and other items.

Besides all out efforts to restore the surface transport at the earliest, the state government had also sought the Army's assistance in rescue and restoration work and had pressed Pawan Hans helicopter services to reach essential commodities to the disrupted areas, the Chief Minister said here yesterday.

Mr Khandu also said the engagement of helicopter services for supplying essential commodities was costing the state exchequer a huge amount.

He said Tawang, Bomdila, Ziro, Daporijo, Aalo, Roing, Anini, Tezu, Anjaw, Sagalee, Kurung Kumey districts and several other areas were cut off from rest of the country, adding that several tourists were reportedly stranded at Tawang.

The Chief Minister had already announced ex-gratia of Rs one lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.

Sounding a high alert throughout the state, the Chief Minister directed all the Deputy Commissioners to keep extra vigil.

He also informed that a Cabinet meeting would be convened shortly for inviting a Central team to assess the actual losses.

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