Fresh landslides, flash floods hit three Arunachal districts
Fresh landslides and flash floods triggered by incessant rain affected three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, an official report said on Tuesday.
The ongoing spell of floods and landslides has so far claimed seven lives in the northeastern state, while the cumulative impact of the monsoon has spread across 28 districts, affecting an estimated 1,55,858 people, according to a report from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) here.
The latest daily situation report said Upper Siang, Kra Daadi and Kamle witnessed damage during the past 24 hours.
In Upper Siang, a landslide affected Yingkiong circle and Yingkiong village. In Kra Daadi, flash floods struck Tarak Langdi circle, affecting the area between Taji and Kambang villages. In Kamle, heavy rain hit Raga circle, affecting Godak and Kigam villages.
The report said monsoon-related disasters have so far affected 384 circles and 678 villages across the state.
The report also highlighted extensive damage to public infrastructure.
So far, 235 roads, 40 bridges, 75 culverts, 373 water supply systems, 161 power lines, 823 electric poles, 66 irrigation projects, 122 government buildings, 41 schools, 12 hydropower projects, 26 retaining walls and 16 flood protection walls, among other public assets, have been damaged by floods and landslides.
The agriculture and horticulture sectors have also suffered significant losses, with crops over 1,528.626 hectares affected, including 780.716 hectares under horticulture and 747.91 hectares under agriculture, the report added.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms with lightning and very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Longding, Lower Subansiri and Papum Pare districts on Wednesday.
The IMD has also predicted heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over East Kameng, Lohit, Namsai and Kamle on Wednesday, and advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert as intense rainfall could trigger fresh landslides, flash floods and waterlogging.
According to the district-wise warning issued by the Meteorological Centre here, the weather is likely to improve from Thursday, with Papum Pare remaining the only district under a weather watch, while no significant warning has been issued for the rest of the state.
The rainfall activity is expected to weaken further on Friday, with Pakke-Kessang being the only district likely to remain under watch.
No weather warning has been issued for Saturday, indicating that the current spell of widespread rainfall is likely to ease across Arunachal Pradesh.
However, authorities have advised people living in landslide and flood-prone areas to remain cautious as the saturated soil conditions caused by weeks of incessant rain could still lead to localised landslides and flash floods despite the improving weather outlook.
