PM Modi expresses grief on loss of lives in Arunachal landslide

Expressing grief on the deadly landslide in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh which claimed 16 lives on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief on the loss of lives caused by a landslide in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. He extended condolences to the bereaved families," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office read.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress president Sonia Gandhi extended her condolences to families of the dead and called on her party MLAs to volunteer with relief. Sonia also called the Pradesh Congress Committee members and volunteers to contribute to the relief work

"Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi has expressed distress and shock at the tragic land slide in Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh. Extending her condolences to families of the dead in the accident, Smt. Gandhi hoped that relief & rescue operations will avert further loss," the Indian National Congress said in a series of tweets.

Meanwhile, the rescue operations are underway to ensure that there are no more casualties. The deadly landslide was triggered by incessant rains in Famla village in Tawang District, where the deceased are reported to be labourers from nearby states who were working at the construction site of a five star hotel.

More rain-triggered landslides are also being reported from different part of Tawang, damaging electric poles and disrupting power supply. Chief Minister Kalikho Pul has asked Tawang Deputy Commissioner for a detailed report on the landslides.