Fresh rain wreaks havoc in four Arunachal districts

Itanagar, Jul 14 (PTI) Fresh floods, landslides, and heavy rain affected four districts of Arunachal Pradesh in the last 24 hours, damaging houses and public infrastructure, while the number of people affected by the monsoon deluge has risen to 1,02,917 across the state, an official report said on Tuesday. The ongoing spell of rain-triggered floods and landslides has so far claimed seven lives and left 29 people injured across the state. The daily situation report of the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said that Kamle, Pakke Kessang, Kra Daadi and East Kameng were the districts newly affected during the last 24 hours. The SEOC said Upper Siang remains the worst-affected district with about 49,259 people impacted, followed by Siang (25,365), Kra Daadi (13,731), East Kameng (6,146) and Namsai (2,657). While Kamle reported one incident each of heavy rainfall and flooding, Pakke Kessang witnessed one landslide, Kra Daadi recorded three floods and three landslide incidents, while East Kameng reported two flood incidents. In Kamle district, Kamporijo circle and Yukar village were affected. In Pakke Kessang, the affected area was Pijirang circle, including Pakro village. Fresh damage was also reported from Nyorig, Tali, Pipsorang and Gangte circles in Kra Daadi district, covering Ruhi, Jha, Tali Town, Tali-Pipsorang road, Balo and Pha villages. In East Kameng district, Seppa circle, including Type-III Colony and Seppa town, was affected. No fresh death, injury or missing case was reported during the last 24 hours. The report said 17 kutcha houses were severely damaged by floods in Kamle district. In Kra Daadi, floods damaged four kutcha houses, one hut and 16 pucca houses. Fresh infrastructure damage was also reported, including one road in Pakke Kessang damaged by a landslide, one bridge and two roads in Kra Daadi damaged by floods and landslides, besides two hostels that were completely destroyed. In East Kameng, two retaining walls suffered severe and complete damage due to floods in the past 24 hours. Flash floods triggered by incessant rains have washed away an 84-metre bridge over the Kumey river, isolating eight villages in Kra Daadi district from the rest of Arunachal Pradesh since Monday. Pipsorang Sub-Divisional Officer Yumlam Pulu and Tali East Zilla Parishad Member Rughu Tama visited the disaster-hit sites. Pulu said that besides the bridge, more than 20 houses on the riverbanks have been destroyed. He urged the public to strictly adhere to the district administration's safety advisories and avoid venturing near the river. At least 1,02,917 people have been affected by the recent monsoon havoc in 466 villages, including 295 circles, in all 26 districts. The cumulative impact of the monsoon continues to be significant, with 452 kutcha houses, 100 pucca houses, 44 huts and 24 other houses damaged across the state. Around 561.75 hectares of crop area, including 337.75 hectares under horticulture and 224 hectares under agriculture, have been affected. The disasters have also damaged 153 roads, 24 bridges, 26 culverts, 237 drinking water supply systems, 156 power lines, 224 electric poles, 59 government buildings and 19 schools, besides affecting 1,010 hectares of forest area. The SEOC said Upper Siang remains the worst-affected district with about 49,259 people impacted, followed by Siang (25,365), Kra Daadi (13,731), East Kameng (6,146) and Namsai (2,657). PTI UPL UPL RG