Landslides disrupt communication in Arunachal

Itanagar, Aug 13 (UNI) Fresh landslides triggered by incessant rainfall for the past three days have disrupted surface transport and communication lines in various parts of Arunachal Pradesh.

Official sources said here today that the Kimin-Ziro road in Papum Pare district remained blocked since Monday due to massive landslides near Lichi, 26 km from Kimin, disrupting movement of vehicular traffic. There were reports of many vehicles being stranded at Kimin on Monday.

The road between Doimukh and Sagalee was reported to be blocked near the 19 Miles area since Monday while the Doimukh-Hoj road under Papum Pare district was also disrupted.

The 11 KV power line from Nirjuli to Banderdewa area had been washed away yesterday by fresh floods following heavy rain since morning.

Power department sources said the electric poles across the Dikrong river have been washed away by flood water at Nirjuli Dikrong Colony, Doimukh riverside and Upper Karsingsa, affecting power supply to the entire Banderdewa area.

However, the restoration work, which began on war footing, would take at least a week, the sources added.

Constant downpour since the past three days raised concern among the Papum Pare district administration, especially after the traumatic experience of the June 14 landslides and floods, which claimed 17 lives, and communication in the entire district came to a standstill.

The administration feared that if the rain continued, it might trigger fresh floods and landslides as Pare and Pachin rivers, including its tributaries like Nyorch and Papu, were in high spate.

Reports from East Kameng district said the incessant rain had caused massive landslides at Seijosa, disrupting road transport, telephone communication and power supply.

Four km in between Seijosa to Goaesso had been damaged by landslides, cutting off the transport routes. Three bridges, pools and a bridge at Boali River had been destroyed by landslides.

The 43 Assam Rifles and state police, along with local people and officials from various government departments, pitched in to clear the debris of the mudslides.

Meanwhile, the Zilla Parishad member of Dissing Tasso has requested the government to rebuild the affected area and to extend help to the people who were adversely affected by the calamity.

UNI UPB DPM/GL RK1258