At least 14 people were feared dead and eight houses washed away due to a massive landslide triggered by incessant rains at a remote village in Papum Pare district in Arunachal Pradesh, officials said on Tuesday.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed deep shock and grief over the reported submergence of eight houses under debris caused by a massive landslide at laptap village under Toru Circle of Papum Pare district this afternoon.
Khandu immediately put the district administration on alert and ordered urgent rescue operation to evacuate probable survivors trapped inside the debris and damaged houses. He also asked the administration to provide all necessary assistance like food, medicine etc. to the affected victims and shift them to safer locations.
A Government spokesman said that while a medical team with life saving drugs has been dispatched, a police team led by two officers of Deputy Superintendent of Police rank has already left for the village. “A thirty-five member NDRF team has already reached the spot and carrying out rescue operations along with volunteers and villagers of the area. Five dead bodies have been retrieved so far from the debris,” the spokesman said adding that search is on to rescue other affected persons.
Additional police personnel from Banderdewa are also on the way while SP Papum Pare too has left for the spot to oversee the rescue operations.
Reiterating his fervent appeal to remain alert and shift from vulnerable places, Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh has been at the receiving end of nature’s fury every year. The best people can do is avoid vulnerable places and stop rampant earth cutting and deforestation, he added. The CM directed the district administration to ensure that people residing in vulnerable areas are immediately shifted to safer locations and provided with all basic amenities at least till the monsoons recede.
Expressing grief over loss of precious human lives, Khandu announced release of ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kins of the deceased according to the laid down norms. He conveyed his deepest condolences and extended solidarity with the bereaved family members and prayed for the safety of those who are missing.