Itanagar, May 16:  Incessant rainfall over the last couple of days has wreaked havoc in the state capital region with several incidents of landslides reported which claimed four lives.
A major landslide at  Yagumso Colony Itanagar claimed the life of two persons on Sunday midnight.
Nine persons who were staying together, got swept away by the landslide of which 6 persons have been found and are safe ( 3 were rescued and 3 managed to get back), 2 have succumbed to injuries and efforts are underway to trace the remaining one, informed the DDMO Moromi Dodum Sonam.
Upon receiving the information, District Administration including the Police, NDRF, SDRF and others  swung into action to rescue them but unfortunately two of them lost their lives.The deceased have been identified as Taposh Rai (15), Nagin Barman (45) and Kusum Rai (35) who is yet to be retrieved.
In another incident on Monday, two labourers of PWD CD-B were also buried under landslide at the Ganga-Jullang block point. 
EAC Itanagar Takam Nicholas informed that they were helping another colleague to carry his scooty over when the mishap happened.
The deceased have been identified as Teg Bahadur Sonar (52) and Tai Yai (45), both working as casual labour in the PWD.
Two other labourers also received injuries and have been shifted to hospital. The EAC informed that there is likelihood of more occurrence of such incidents along that stretch of road if it continues to rain and accordingly a traffic advisory has been issued to all the denizens to refrain from using Pappunallah-Jollang- Ganga Market Itanagar road.
Reports of road blockades, landslides, mud sliding etc were also reported from various other locations of Capital Itanagar.
The team of District Administration and  Police has been on its toes and has engaged men and machineries to clear blockades.
The DDMO informed that 7 different locations at Itanagar namely RWD colony, Yagomso colony, Niya colony, chimpu, Daath Basti jollang, Ajin colony, hilltop colony and gompa area and 2 locations at Naharlagun Namely D sector colony and A sector colony  were reported to be affected by the heavy rainfall, 2 nos of Kutcha house were fully damaged, 4 nos of kutcha house were partially damaged  and 5 nos of shops( kutcha) was partially damaged.
Also, slip clearance was done at various locations of Itanagar at Niya colony, senki view-Panchali road, 4th IRBN road via hill top colony at Itanagar, 6 kilo, RWD colony, circuit house- Doordarshan office along with clearance of choked drains at Daath Basti and Hoka, jollang and at Karsingsa road by PWD CD-A, B and Highway.
District Administration has time and again appealed the denizens residing by the river side, landslide prone areas and vulnerable locations to move to safer locations or to Relief camps  during monsoons. Alert advisory has already been issued in this regard.
Also as per the IMD report, there is likelihood of rainfall in the next 2-3 days, therefore District Administration appeals all to remain alert and take necessary precautionary measures.
The following schools/ locations in Capital Itanagar have been designated as Temporary Relief Camp. Auditorium of Govt Higher Secondary School ESS sector Itanagar, Govt Middle School Kankarnallah Naharlagun and Nikum Niya Hall Banderdewa.
The toll free no 1077, 878-7336331,9436415828 of District Emergency Operating Centre (DEOC) could be contacted in case of any eventuality.

CM appeals citizens to take precautionary measures

ITANAGAR: Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed grief as well as concern over loss of lives due to landslides in the state capital city triggered by incessant rainfall since several days.
As per reports, at least five persons lost their lives and six got injured in two separate incidents of landslides in Itanagar since Sunday. Landslides were also reported at Karsingsa block point, Itanagar Gompa (monastery) and RWD Colony, Itanagar.
Taking stock of the situation arising due to heavy and continuous rains in the state, Khandu appealed all to take precautionary measures, especially those living along river banks, streams and landslide prone areas. 
He said that the district administration has identified and earmarked buildings as temporary relief camps and people in vulnerable places may either shift there to other places till the situation returns to normalcy.
“It pains my heart to get information of loss of lives every year during monsoons. I heart goes out to the departed souls and survivors, who are mostly near and dear ones. As I pray for eternal peace of the departed souls, I reiterate that such disasters can be avoided if we respect nature and use common sense in building houses, earth-cutting and blocking natural flow of streams and rivulets,” Khandu said in a message this evening.
The Chief Minister assured that ex-gratia to the deceased and relief to the injured will be provided by the government as per norms.  

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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