Famla village in Tawang,
in Arunachal Pradesh lost about 16 people to a landslide, that struck in the early hours on Friday morning. The people of the area were taken by surprise and lots of them are reported to be buried beneath the rubble and debris spread around because of the landslide that struck the district of Tawang, that borders China, at about 2 A.M. Friday.
A team consisting of skilled people from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were sent to evaluate and help out at the disaster site. This was confirmed by a senior State official who stated “As per preliminary information 16 bodies have been recovered from the debris of the landslide. The incident occurred somewhere around 2.30 a.m today (Friday). Authorities are involved in the rescue operations. A NDRF team is on its way.”
The landslide took the people at Phamla village in Tawang, by surprise, and was said to be a result of the continuous and incessant rain that the State had been experiencing for weeks. The constant rainy showers in various regions of Arunachal Pradesh resulted in a flood type situation and water logging of the area, and this had made life very difficult for the people residing here, confirmed the officials of the State.
A senior district administration official gave his statement to the press saying, “A total of 17 laborers were sleeping inside the tent located near the under construction hotel. The tent was swept away completely burying 15 of them alive while the other two managed to escape with severe injuries,” but out of them one died later while being taken to the hospital because of the severity of the wounds. The condition of the survivor is said to be very delicate and critical.
Asking the people to take necessary precautions and stay alert at all times The Governor of Arunachal Pardesh, J.P. Rajkhowa has pronounced Rs.1 lakh , as an ex-gratia relief for the family of the 16 workers who succumbed to their injuries in the landslide incident. He has shown his concern because of the scary conditions created by the heavy rainfall in the region. He requested the district administrations and State authorities to give a prior warning to the people who were residing in the floody and landslide prone areas.
Condolences for the bereaved families have been extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and talks have taken place between Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul and union Home Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the concerning flood like situation.
An official reported “Singh has assured full central assistance to Arunachal Pradesh to tackle the floods situation arising due to a swollen Noa Dehing river. He has asked Director General of National Disaster Response Force O.P. Singh to rush rescue teams to the landslide-hit Famla village in Tawang, bordering China.”
District administration officials sadly stated “The camp where the construction laborers were staying had been buried due to the landslide.” Arunachal Pradesh has been granted assistance of almost Rs.84.33 crore by a high level committee led by the home minister. Students, elderly and volunteers are being made a part of safety drills in a landslide and flood like situation.
