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Additional NDRF teams rushed to vulnerable areas

By STAFF CORRESPONDENT - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

DIBRUGARH, Oct 20 - Anticipating flash floods in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and upper Assam due to the formation of an artificial lake on the Yarlung Zangbo in China after a cliff fell on a section of the river, several additional contingents of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushed from Kolkata and Bhubaneswar to all the vulnerable areas for emergency rescue operations.

As per reports from the Indian Embassy in China communicated to India, the barrier lake formed on the Yarlung Zangbo, the Chinese part of the Siang or the Brahmaputra, started overflowing from around 2 pm yesterday.

At least six NDRF teams, comprising about 150 members, along with tons of rescue equipment from Kolkata landed at Mohanbari at around 1.45 am last night via a special aircraft of the Air Force. Four teams rushed to Dhemaji and one team to Lakhimpur this morning, and another one is stationed at Dibrugarh. Another eight NDRF teams comprising 200 members from Bhubaneswar and Odisha landed at Pasighat today to combat the possible disaster in areas like Tuting, Yingkiong, Pangin and Pasighat of Arunachal Pradesh.

The NDRF team stationed at Dibrugarh has been provided accommodation in the Mancotta CRPF Camp. The personnel will be mobilised as per demands of the situation, said Dipjyoti Hatikakoty, the district project officer of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal last night asked the district administrations and the district disaster management authorities in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and all other vulnerable districts to be vigilant and prepared for emergency services.

Sonowal made this appeal last night following a telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj about the possible artificial floods in the State. The External Affairs Minister reportedly directed the Chief Minister to be prepared with all preventive measures in case the disaster strikes, sources from the administration here informed.

Following the high alert, all kinds of ferry services between Dibrugarh and Dhemaji have been suspended for an indefinite period as precautions.

On the other hand, an emergency meeting was held at Aalo in Arunachal Pradesh�s West Siang district under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (in-charge) C Chukhu to chalk out contingency plans to tackle any eventuality in the low lying areas of the district, stated a press release issued by the DIPRO, Aalo.

Officials from the Army, ITBP, police, bazar committee members, public leaders and district administration took part in the meeting held at the conference hall of the DC office.