ITANAGAR: Late monsoon showers in Arunachal Pradesh have left in its wake a trail of devastation and death as water levels of rivers rose to dangerous heights and landslides caused damages across.
After a dry monsoon that witnessed rain deficit of over 20 percent, rains have been picking up across the Northeast.
At least three people are confirmed to have died but that figure could rise.
Unofficial accounts claimed that the damages were more severe, putting the figure at more than 50 houses.
Official records, however, said that at least 18 houses were completely washed away while 37 houses were partially damaged at Modirijo area and five fully damaged and four were partially damaged at Donyi-Polo Colony in Itanagar.
Officials informed that three people from one family drowned in the river at Modirijo at around 4.30 am on Friday.
Mary Beyong and her ten-year-old daughter, Pungpi, are currently missing. Her three-year-old son Kojom’s body was recovered by rescue workers.
Another woman, Yadi Rigio, from the same area was rescued but later succumbed to her injuries. Her husband, Rigio Tugung, is missing.
Two people, Taring Yaha and Rakhe Naku, were rescued from Donyi Polo Colony and are currently in the hospital undergoing treatment. A 50-year-old man, Mohan Chettry, also died and his body was retrieved from Nirjuli near the state capital.
Today, another man’s body was also recovered.
Road communication too was severely hit with vehicles being swept away in the flooded river. The damages have been made more severe by the fact that construction of the Trans-Arunachal Highway in the state capital has been on hold for months.
While excavation work was done earlier, the lack of progress in the construction of the ambitious four-lane highway combined with the rains has led to roads turning to slush.
The deputy commissioner has issued an order directing residents residing in vulnerable areas to vacate their homes and move to safer locations or temporary relief camps.
The order also stated that those deliberately staying in landslide-prone areas or water path areas along the rivers, streams, and hills will do so at their own risk shall not be entitled to claim any compensation in future. The order has also mentioned the list of vulnerable areas identified and safe shelter.
Elsewhere, in West Siang district, officials are keeping a close watch on the water level of the Yomgo river which is reportedly flowing just one metre below the danger mark.
A section of a guest house has already been washed away.
At East Siang district, water level of the Siang river had risen substantially, leading to erosion at Borguli, Seram, Namsing, and Mer villages.
Chief minister Pema Khandu announced Rs four lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
He also issued orders to the administration and the disaster management department to continuously monitor the situation.