A series of landslides triggered by heavy rainfall killed eight people in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday. While in Papum Pare district’s Tigdo village in Doimukh, a family of four, including a baby, was buried alive, a mudslide killed four others in Modirijo village in the Itanagar Capital Complex. Earlier in May, three people had died under similar circumstances in Dibang Valley district.
“Saddened by the loss of lives due to heavy rains as well as landslides in Arunachal Pradesh. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday night.
Saddened by a tragedy that struck Tigdo village in Papumpare district this morning where four members of a family perished in a landslide. May the deceased rest in eternal peace. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Ex-gratia relief being expedited to the next of kin.
— Pema Khandu (@PemaKhanduBJP) July 10, 2020
Earlier on Friday evening, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had tweeted that Itanagar had witnessed heavy rainfall of 142 mm which had triggered landslides in many places. “Death toll due to landslides has risen to 8 in a single day. @DCitanagar is shifting all persons from vulnerable areas to nearest relief camps” CM Khandu wrote, sharing his condolences for the deceased.
As per a release from the Arunachal Pradesh Disaster Management department, all bodies — but one in Itanagar — have been recovered so far. “We are in the process of recovering the fourth body,” said Atul Tayeng, Director, Disaster Management, Arunachal Pradesh, adding that the rains have been incessant for the past few days.
The release stated that the south-west monsoons have caused huge damage to the state’s infrastructure including roads, bridges, buildings, erosion and flooding of agricultural and horticultural fields among others.
In Itanagar Capital Complex, many colonies like Romik Colony, Nyokum Lapang, Dokum Colony, Doordarshan Colony, among others have reported landslides. As a result, several vehicles have been buried, houses have been washed away or buried, and three pigs were found buried in Dokum Colony.
East Siang district has reported heavy land erosion along the Siang river under Mebo sub-division. “Approach road of Steel Bridge over Sille river of Niglok village has been completely washed away,” stated the release. Earlier, two stranded persons were rescued by the authorities.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Guwahati has issued a red alert for the state. “Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls (>20cm) likely over Arunachal Pradesh and Assam & Meghalaya during 09 to 11 July 2020,” stated a release by the centre on Thursday.
As a measure of preparedness for the monsoon and to enable faster response to disaster, Dept. of Disaster Management has set up 5 Regional Response Centre and have also pre-positioned SDRF teams in the centres.
For emergency please contact the SEOC & DEOC. pic.twitter.com/hYazsFDUsF
— Pema Khandu (@PemaKhanduBJP) July 10, 2020
CM Khandu urged citizens to stay safe. “I request everyone to take all precautionary measures & to refrain from staying at vulnerable locations,” he tweeted, sharing the district-wise warning issued by the RMC and contact details of District Emergency Operation Centres.
The government has also issued a release on how the citizens should be prepared in case more landslides strike.