Massive landslide in Arunachal Pradesh claims 16 lives
A massive rain-triggered landslide claimed 16 lives in Arunachal Pradesh as it hit a labor-camp in the Tawang district. The incident took place at 3 am in the morning when 19 laborers were working in a construction camp at Phamla near Tawang. SP Anto Alphonse stated that two laborers were safe while one was severely injured and 16 bodies were extracted from the debris.
Landslides/landslips are the mass movements of debris, rock or soil on a hill, which slide down the slope as gravity drives them. Natural causes of landslides are earthquakes and heavy rain. Human causes of the landslides are mining and clear-cutting.
Heavy rains and unprecedented increase in the water-levels of the rivers in Arunachal Pradesh had triggered flash floods and landslides in 2012 and 2013, which left a trail of destruction. In 2012, Subansiri river submerged all villages on its banks which damaged over 200 houses and washed away livestock. In 2013, several roads were snapped by landslides caused by floods, which damaged several places.
Landslides caused by incessant rain had wrecked havoc in several areas of Arunachal Pradesh and disrupted the normal lives of people. Floods had massively hit residences, roads, culverts, educational institutions, etc. in low-lying areas; the NH 52(A) connecting Itanagar to other places had been snapped. Several government buildings had collapsed because of the flood water, which was logged due to drain blockages.
Year after year, Arunachal Pradesh had been destructed by torrential rains, floods, and landslides. Heavy landslides had completely damaged houses, pipelines, electric-polls, roads, culverts, etc. the Kameng district and Sonitpur district. A couple and their daughter in Sonitpur were killed due to a massive landslide while their son survived. The then-CM Nabam Tuki cautioned people to stay safe and alert in case of emergency.
Incessant rains since the last few days in Arunachal Pradesh triggered flood-like situation in Namsai district due to the Noa Dehing river, which had swollen above the danger mark. A team of officials inspected the houses, lands, roads, and highways which were damaged. Heavy soil erosion and landslides were also reported in several parts of the state posing threat to residential and official buildings.
A massive rain-triggered landslide claimed 16 lives in Arunachal Pradesh as it hit a labor-camp in the Tawang district. The incident took place at 3 am in the morning when 19 laborers were working in a construction camp at Phamla near Tawang. SP Anto Alphonse stated that two laborers were safe while one was severely injured and 16 bodies were extracted from the debris.
SP Anto Alphonse said that incessant rains in the last few days triggered the massive landslides in Tawang district. He added that bodies were rescued during the joint operation carried out by the Army, police, civil administration and villagers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences to the families of the victims and expressed grief over the loss of lives. Home Minister Rajnath Singh called Arunachal CM Kalikho Pul and reviewed the situation in the state following the massive landslide in Tawang, floods in Changlang and other districts. Singh said that the centre would provide assistance to the state to tackle the situation.
