Minor among four killed in Arunachal landslides

Itanagar, July 10 (IANS) At least four people, including a minor, of a family were buried alive in a landslide in northeastern Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.

Officials said that the landslides triggered by incessant rains during the past few days, occurred in Papum Pare district at around 2.30 a.m. on Friday when the victims were asleep, killing all the four on the spot.

The Papum Pare district administration and police, accompanied by locals, engaged in rescue operations could retrieve all the bodies from the debris.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed his deep shock and sorrow over the loss of four lives due to landslides at Tigdo village and announced an ex-gratia of Rs four lakhs for each next of kin of the deceased.

Khandu in a statement said that the incessant rain for the last couple of days that triggered landslides and floods have left trails of large scale devastation in the entire state.

“Reports have been pouring in about landslides in various locations from in and around the capital region. Road communication has been badly affected by nature’s fury and there is an increase in water flow in streams and rivers,” he added.

The Chief Minister further cautioned that as per Indian Meteorological Department, there is likelihood of heavy rain in next few days across Arunachal Pradesh.

He requested the people to take all precautionary measures and refrain from staying at vulnerable locations.

The Chief Minister directed the district administration and the disaster management department to keep a strict vigil and continuously monitor the situation to avoid large scale devastation and loss of lives.

–IANS

sc/rs/