Flood hits Arunachal Pradesh districts; two dead

ITANAGAR: Incessant rains in the past couple of days triggered floods in several districts of Arunachal Pradesh, while two persons died in Lepa Rada district of the state on Friday, an official report informed here.

Two persons, namely Bato Doye and Purna Bahadur Thakuria were reportedly washed away by the sudden flood in Ego river under Dari circle of Lepa Rada district at Ego Camp on Friday.

According to the report, the body of Thakuria could be retrieved while the body of Dye is still missing.

The sudden flood in the district happened due to blockade of the river in upstream by a massive landslide triggered by incessant rain.

The Ego Bridge, that connects Likabali with Lepa Rada district has been washed away in the gushing river water. The district administration has appealed the commuters to avoid the Likabali-Aalo road till an alternative is put in place.

Rain-triggered flash floods in several rivers and rivulets have also created havoc in the districts of West Siang, Siang and East Siang in the last couple of days, the report said.

The Aalo-Pangin Road which is considered as the lifeline for West Siang, East Siang, Siang, Lower siang andd Lepa Rada districts, is blocked at several points. Formation of the road was washed out at 350 km point of Potin-Pangin NH-13 near Aalo-Pangin-Boleng tri-junction.

The Siang district administration has sent cautionary note to all not to travel by the road for two-three days.

The Sipu and Yomgo rivers in West Siang district are in full spate and are flowing at the danger mark Friday morning, causing massive erosion at Aalo-Kaying BRTF Road near Sipu bridge.

Water logging at many places in several districts of the state were reported while a large stretch of cultivation fields in those districts have been inundated, the report said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who is currently under home isolation in New Delhi, has expressed grief over the reported loss of lives and huge properties, especially in Lepa Rada district.

He condoled the reported deaths of the two persons. While praying for their eternal peace, the Chief Minister assured that relief would be processed as per government norms.

Khandu in a statement informed that he is in constant touch with the district administrations and the departments concerned to mitigate the situation and safeguard lives and property.

The department of Disaster Management is assessing the magnitude of damage loss to public property. As road stretches were blocked in several places factual figures of damage are yet to be assessed, the Chief Minister said in the statement.

Khandu has also ordered assessment of damage to public property, paddy fields and other utility services in all the three districts.

He said government will assess the damage and offer relief according to norms. He also asserted the need to evolve a concrete plan to prevent damage of paddy fields by pests.

The Chief Minister appealed everybody to remain cautious and take preventive measures beforehand as natural calamities cannot be accurately predicted.

So far, flood related deaths in the northeastern state this year rose to 12.

Four people died after rain triggered a landslide in the Modirijo area between Itanagar and Naharlagun, while four members of the same family died after a landslide in Papum Pare district in July this year. Two more people died due to flood-related incident in the state during June this year.

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