Incessant rains throw life out of gear in Arunachal Pradesh

Incessant rains over the last two days has thrown normal life out of gear in Arunachal Pradesh with reports of landslips and disruption in surface communication pouring in from several places of the land-locked state.

Persistent rains since last two days had triggered landslides in between Tohangam (Zero Point) and Parsuramkund, completely cutting off of Tezu, the headquarters of Lohit district and Hayuliang in Anjaw district from the rest of the country, officials said today.

The rise in water level of Lohit river has also led to closure of Alubari Ghat in the district.

Approximately 10 meters of road was washed away by heavy rains, snapping road communication in both Tezu and Hayuliang, they said.

"Our men and machinery have been pressed into service to make through every blockade. However, if rains continue restoration will get hampered," officer-in-charge of 1446 Border Construction Company RK Gupta said.

Wakro town in Lohit district has also been cut off from the rest of the state. Noa Dehing river was flowing 1.40 metres above the normal level, and other rivers, like Lohit and Kamlang, and their tributaries were also in high spate, Lohit District Commissioner R K Sharma said.

Reports of land erosion have been pouring in from New Silatoo, Philobari, Mahaloni and Dharampur villages in Lekang circle under the district, and eight families have been shifted to safer places in New Silatoo and Duraliang villages, he said.

"Six persons have been rescued at Kamlang Nagar by using an elephant," Sharma said, adding that road communication to Tezu via Alubari has been disrupted due to overflowing of the Lohit river.

The district machinery has been geared up for relief and rescue operations, the DC added.

Tezu township is reeling under darkness following the damage of 33 KV power line. The Tafragam Phase – II 100 KW and Dhuranalah Phase – I 100 KW have been temporarily suspended due to ongoing renovation, power department engineer A Yirang said.

"The township will suffer frequent crisis of power owing to repeated breakdown of 33 KV line that passes through major forest areas and rivers, and drawn from Rupai in Assam covering 120 km," he said.

Unless 132 KV line being run by Power Grid Corporation is completed, the township will suffer from power crisis, Yirang added.

To meet the looming food crisis, Anjaw Deputy Commissioner D Kamduk said that 100 quintals of rice were stocked at Hawai and Hayuliang and another 50 quintals at Walong for exigency.

A report from East Siang district said that heavy downpour in the last couple of days had paralysed life in Siang belt, especially Ruksin, Nari-Koyu, Pasighat and Mebo areas in East Siang and parts of adjoining Upper Assam areas.

Heavy showers have caused waterlogging in several places and rain water was overflowing the subways along National Highway-52 between Sille and Rani portion and Mirem portions of MMJ road between Mikong and Mirem villages.

Incessant rain has also caused waterlogging in Pasighat and Ruksin township besides inundating paddy fields at Pasighat, Sille, Ruksin and Mebo circles.

The rain-fed hilly rivers and streams are posing a threat to paddy fields and human habitation, the report said.

Surging water of Kadang river at Mebo eroded a culvert near Kadang bridge on Mebo-Dhola road yesterday snapping road communication for several hours. The strong current of Siku river between Pasighat and Mebo town is posing serious threat to Siku RCC bridge at its west abutment.

The surging water of Ngorlung and Sille rivers under Ruksin circle is posing serious threat to the Bailey bridges along MMJ road, while large paddy field area located at its downstream are submerged.

Incessant rain also disrupted construction work of National Highway between Silley and Pasighat and has created disruptions in the ongoing work of Trans-Arunachal Highway between Pasighat and Pangin, sources added.