ITANAGAR, June 10 � Rains continued to wreak havoc in Arunachal Pradesh as two persons died and another two were injured in a landslide that hit their dwelling at Ajin Colony here.
The State Government has earmarked an amount of Rs 2 crore for urgent repair and maintenance of highway roads. Another Rs 1 crore has been set aside for urgent repair works for restoration of power and water supply as the surface communication in several districts is currently snapped.
Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi convened a review meeting here yesterday to take stock of the ongoing disaster preparedness and steps taken in view of the incessant rains causing landslides and extensive damages to roads.
Negi while taking updates on the overall scenario instructed the district administration and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to mobilise all available resources to tackle the situation.
In view of high alert issued by the Indian Meteorological Department on heavy rainfall in the State till Saturday, the State Government has announced to close all the schools within Capital Complex from today till Saturday, Disaster Management Secretary K Kholie said. However, all colleges in the State capital would remain open as usual, he added.
Road communications between Itanagar and Banderdewa via Karsingsa has been disrupted following washing away of large portions of the NH-415 and many culverts at sinking zone near Karsingsa, a PWD official said.
Traffic has been diverted through Nirjuli-Gumto-Harmutty road to take the NH-52 in Assam. It would take a few days to restore the highway as continuous downpour hampered works, the PWD official added.
Meanwhile, Assam PWD Minister Ajanata Neog today assured her Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Gojen Gadi to take up immediate maintenance of inter-State Assam-Arunachal roads to maintain connectivity during the rainy season. Gadi, as desired by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, had rushed to Guwahati yesterday to take up the issue.
The Hollongi-Itanagar Road is also cut off due to heavy and incessant rain.
The main water supply pipeline that provides water to Itanagar township has been damaged in several locations due to continuous rains. Yingkiong, the district headquarter of Upper Siang is cut off from rest of the country since Sunday.
Dibang Valley district remains cut off from rest of the State since last the five days due to torrential rainfall and flash floods which has triggered landslides at various locations, a district official said.
Meanwhile, incessant rains in Siang Valley has paralysed life in the region for the sixth day today, reports from the district said.
Torrential rain in the region has damaged horticultural gardens, fish ponds and water pipelines in different parts of the district, the reports said.
Surging water of Ngorlung, Silley and Oyan rivers are eroding trees, bamboo grooves and cropland in that district. � PTI
