Rain triggers landslides in several parts of Arunachal Pradesh

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Early monsoon rains in the past five days have triggered landslides in various parts of Arunachal Pradesh, snapping surface communications.

Moderate to heavy rainfall has been lashing the northeastern state for the last five days, disrupting normal life and adversely affecting business activities. On an average, over 15 cm rainfall was recorded in the state in the past few days, officials informed.

The state capital Itanagar witnessed landslides in various locations threatening important buildings. Capital Deputy Commissioner Talo Porom has appealed to the people living in vulnerable areas to shift to safer locations in view of the heavy rainfall lashing the capital for the last few days. Potom informed that as per the IMD forecast, heavy rain is expected in the next two days. The DC also expressed concern over the illegal earth-cutting carried out near the highway and sector roads.

The under construction hanging bridge over Dikrong River at Naharlagun, near here, on Monday collapsed due to gushing water of the river, disconnecting the short cut road to Borum railway station via helipad. A portion of the Naharlagun-Yupia road to Borum railway station has also been washed away. Two temporary bridges over Pachin River that connect Yupia, Borum, Naharlagun and Nirjuli, have been washed away

While the Papu Nallah Bridge is under threat of collapsing after a small portion of land eroded at the edge of the bridge, officials said adding the district administration had pressed men and machinery into service for early restoration of the bridge portion. Continuous downpour is also posing threat to NH-415 near IG Park here which is under construction, while the wall of the civil secretariat building is also under threat due to overflowing rain water.

Strategically located Anjaw district in the China border has been cut off since the last two days after rain-triggered landslides were reported at various places with stretches of roads getting washed away from Dimwe to Tohangam and Brahmakund Tri-Junction (NH-13).

Lohit district administration has issued traffic advisory to evade travelling to Anjaw as road communications at several pockets have been snapped completely. "Traveling at such an hour is not safe and there is danger to human life, health and safety. So road is closed till April 7," the advisory said.

The DA has urged the citizens to stay away from river banks and avoid fishing and other activities. Lohit district also witnessed sudden rise of flood water due to heavy rain in the last few days. "Mud-covered flood water is also flowing in Durranala, Digaru and Tezunala streams," informed district disaster management officer (DDMO) Damchen Norbu.

The DDMO added that emergency flood protection works were on a war-footing at Tezu Nala under Water Resources Department (WRD) to protect Machuwa camp, Tezu Nala and Masjid area. Local MLA Karikho Kri, who is closely monitoring the flood-like situation in the town, advised WRD to keep strict vigil on the situation. Torrential rains have also paralysed normal life in the Siang valley.

Heavy downpour also led to water-logging at several locations and damaged Rabi crops in the region. Rainfall-triggered landslides occurred in several portions of the Panging-Aalo road (Siang district) and the Pasighat-Mariyang highway (Upper Siang), hindering road communication.

PWD highways officials informed that the blocks on both the routes have been cleared and men and machines have been engaged to clear other roadblocks on the routes. Reports of flood-like situations have also poured from Namsai, Changlang, Tirap and other districts of the state.

Also Read: 7 Landslides Hit Meghalaya: Two Killed, Houses And Shops Damaged In Several Areas

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