At least nine labourers were killed and another eight went missing when a massive landslide triggered by incessant rains hit a labour camp in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.

The incident occurred at 3 a.m. when 17 labourers engaged in construction works were inside the camp at a place four km away from Tawang town, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) Lod Gambo said.

“So far nine bodies have been extricated from the debris and search is on to locate the eight missing labourers,” Gambo said, adding incessant rain for the past couple of days had triggered landslides in several places of the border district.

Gambo said rescue operation was on and two JCBs have been pressed into service to clear the debris.

The PWD road in between New Lebrang and government higher secondary school has also been blocked due to landslide, while damages to residential buildings have been reported from the area.
Heavy rainfall in the past few days in the district resulted in a flood-like situation which severely damaged the Kitpi Ph-I and Ph-II hydel projects.

Power department officials said restoration work could not be started due to the continuous rain and both the power stations had been shut down due to the damage.

Taking serious note of the situation, DC Duly Kamduk has directed the department concerned for assessment and submission of detailed report for action.

Incessant rains lead to flood-like situation

Continuous rain in the last couple of days has triggered flood-like situation in several districts of Arunachal Pradesh, including the state capital.

Rain continued to wreaked havoc in Namsai and Changlang districts with reports of rising water of the Noa Dehing and the Jengthu rivers inundating fresh areas, besides damaging several flood protection embankments, officials said.

According to an official report from Namsai, incessant downpour yesterday deteriorated the flood scenario in the district with both Noa Dehing and Jengthu rivers flowing above the danger mark. The flood water of the rivers had inundated human habitation and agricultural fields besides damaging many embankments.

Three more households have been shifted to safe shelters from Silatoo Kachari village. Affected villagers are also being shifted from Wingseng Nongtaw village, the report said, adding, flood water has been reportedly entering Dirak Miri village area.

The district administration has strengthened the relief and rescue operations.

Heavy erosion continued at Silatoo Khampti, New Silatoo, Kakoni, Silatoo Kachari, Mahadevpur-I, Waisali, Krishnapur, Mahaloni, Ekorani, Rajabeel, Dirakmiri, Lekang Gohain, Dharampur, Murti Camp, Kherbari, Deobeel, Philobari and Nampong villages.

A report from Diyun in Changlang district said following incessant rain, the water level of the Noa Dehing river is continuously rising putting human lives and property at stake with the destruction of the only embankment resulting inundation of more houses, plantations and lands.

In Dumpani village, the lone embankment of the Noa Dihing was eroded last afternoon and the river inundated the village creating an island where 29 families were stranded.

With the assistance of the Administration and paramilitary forces, women and children were evacuated and provided shelters at the Dumpani club.

Keywords: Arunachal landslide, death