Food crisis looms large in Arunachal district

Itanagar, Aug 23: Food crisis hit remote Kurung Kumey district in Arunachal Pradesh with many places remaining cut off since July 19 last following massive landslides triggered by incessant rainfall.

Parsi Parlo zila parishad member (ZPM) Sangha Tagik, who toured many disconnected areas of the district, said in a statement "there is acute shortage of essential commodities with the people deprived of any supply from outside and all schools have been closed for want of ration rice".

The state government has allocated very little air tonnage, limiting it to almost two ration sorties, which, Tagik said was completely insufficient to meet the requirements of the local populace.

"The 39-km Koloriang-Parsi Parlo road, built with NABARD funding, was completely washed away and blocked at least at 45 places by heavy landslips in the first week of August, while numerous culverts and wire-roap suspension bridges have been completely washed away, including at Mengio, Patuk, Lebia, Kemiya, Piglo and Tamin," Tagik said.

Describing the situation as grave and people's sufferings immeasurable, food and civil supplies parliamentary secretary Lokam Tassar, who hails from the district, today urged the state government to sanction immediate fund for undertaking relief and rehabilitation.

"The 40-km RIDF Dari-Chambang road is mostly damaged and blocked by landslides. The 40-km PMGSY Bokam-Chambang road was also damaged besides many culverts and bridges," Palin legislator Takam Pario said.

Pario urged the Centre for sanctioning fund for restoration of road communication to provide solace to the affected people.

PTI