Siang River on spate, erosion threat looms large in East Siang District

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Heavy and incessant rains from past one week has left Siang river along with its tributaries on spate as the rise in water level reportedly paved way to more erosions thereby panicking the residents of several villages under Lower Mebo area in Mebo sub-division in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Due to heavy rains which upped the water level in Siang and other tributaries, a massive soil erosion is looming large on local residents along the left bank of the river under Lower Mebo villages like Borguli, Seram, Kongkul, Namsing, Gadum and Mer, official sources informed here on Monday.

Reportedly, the river is now threatening the lone communication and lifeline of the region, the Mebo-Dhola road, merely a few meters away from Siang river, connects Lower Mebo with Upper Mebo and district headquarters Pasighat.

The people of the region are getting panicked and trying to restrict soil erosion by their own traditional voluntary methods by using bamboo, tree log and by putting up sand filled gunny bags. But despite their efforts, the river volume was reportedly swelling, which has also washed away and destroyed flood protection materials.

“If massive erosion continues, the Mebo Dhola road will be snapped completely,” said the sources while checking the water level Monday evening.

People of Lower Mebo villages are praying God for safety and hoped that the funds sanctioned recently by the DoNER Ministry will be of good help in diverting the river current in the middle course works of which are likely to be started by coming winter.

In view of the alarming situation, the people of Seram, Namsing, Mer, Gadum, Paglam and Banggo have conducted a joint and major crash programme on Saturday under the supervision of SEEANG committee, which is looking after the management of ground level voluntary flood protection works.

The SEEANG committee has also approached local MLA Lombo Tayeng, who on his part handed over an amount of Rs 5 lakh for the voluntary and immediate traditional means of flood protection works so that soil erosion is restricted before the start of the major flood protection works.

Most of the flood affected people including the members of SEEANG are of the view that DoNER Ministry fund should not be handed over to any bigger firms from outside the district and the state as they are likely to overlook the basic flood protection works of the region since most of the firms, especially from outside the district, reportedly look out for their profit, instead of doing quality works.

The affected people have requested Chief Minister Pema Khandu and concerned department for handing over the flood protection works to the affected villages, which have been doing voluntary flood protection works since couple of years without expecting any government fund.

Also Read: Bid To Clean Siang River Bank In Arunachal

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