Incessant rains trigger landslides and floods in Arunachal

Itanagar, Aug 25: Incessant downpour over the past couple of days have triggered landslides and flood in various parts of Arunachal Pradesh throwing life out of gear while majority of the rivers in Lohit district have swelled up threatening Tezu and Namsai townships.

The Dura River, Sukha Nallah, Denning River, Tezu River, Lasapani and Digaru River in the state are flowing above the danger mark and threatening human habitation, Water Resources Department (WRD) assistant engineer S K Srivastava said today.

At 27 miles, flood water of Digaru River submerged three dwellings while massive bank erosion was also reported. The occupants were shifted to safer place, official sources informed. The Denning River had breached its left bank at two different locations and partially diverted its course toward the Tezu Township.

The River had also damaged several hectares of standing paddy field. The WRD has been striving hard to plug the breached point but failed due to continuous rain, sources said. Lohit Deputy Commissioner called an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss the prevailing situation. He directed the officials to assist the WRD officials with men and materials to plug the river immediately.

According to Srivastava, the Denning River has already damaged its bank in September 2012 and caused havoc to the township. “Denning being the immediate cause of concern, we are determined enough to fasten the breached point. The DC is extending all assistance to provide ALC (Agency Labour Corps)and labourers to restore the damage”, he said.

Balijan river, which is in high spate is threatening Sunpura circle. However, no loss of life has been reported from any pocket till now. The WRD officials and District Disaster Management Official (DDMO) have been constantly monitoring and maintaining close vigilance over the situation. At Lekang circle under Namsai district, the Noa Dihing river has flooded peripheral villages.

The district administration and the WRD have been extending relief and rehabilitation to the affected villages including, Silato and Dirak Miri from where 283 and 120 affected people were shifted to nearest relief camp. Lekang Gohain, Rajabill, Philobari, Eroni and Dharampur villages under Likang circle were the worst affected villages.

PTI