Heavy rain creates havoc in Arunachal, East Kameng on alert

Seppa: Surface communication in several parts of Arunachal Pradesh’s East Kameng has been severely disrupted after heavy rains have been battering the district and several parts of the state for the past couple of days.

While road communication to Bameng, Chayangtajo, Gyawepurang and Pipu is damaged across many locations, Kadeya village under Bana sub-division has been severely ravaged by flood water.

Many houses, granaries, agriculture land, piggeries and other properties in the village have been damaged and washed away completely. A lone bridge connecting the village with the rest of the district has been washed away completely, said reports.

The Kameng, Bichom, Pappu and Pakke rivers and its tributaries are also in spate.

Following this, East Kameng deputy commissioner Gaurav Singh Rajawat has directed the EAC and BDO of Bana to assess and report the situation for immediate response.

The DC has also instructed all administrative officers to caution people from venturing into river and simultaneously advised the citizens to take precaution while proceeding for any journey.

Meanwhile, EAC Atin Padung and BDO Rakham Langdo along with the members of East Kameng Social Welfare & Cultural Organisation (EKSWCO) led by its chairperson Dahey Sangno visited the Kadeya Village and interacted with the affected families.

After taking stock of the situation, the EKSWCO assured to provide all possible assistance and urged the authorities concerned to release immediate relief to all affected families.

On finding the crux of the devastation, the EKSWCO has warned the construction company, the Sushee Infra Ltd, to accept the onus for the destruction.

Also Read: Arunachal flash floods: Evacuation of patients, kids underway

Expressing displeasure with the progress of construction works, the EKSWCO strongly advocated for early completion of all pending works, particularly the incomplete bridges along the Trans-Arunachal Highway, and cautioned to take stern action if there was any lackadaisical attitude from the company’s end.

As an immediate succour to the victims, the EKSWCO distributed utensils, plastic carpets, food grains and other essential items to affected families.

As reported by the villagers, the cause of the destruction was partially due to nature’s fury and mostly due to negligence of the construction company, Sushee Infra Ltd.

The villagers pointed that the diversions of the River Kadeya at its upstream for construction of a new bridge was one of the main reason for the devastation.

Meanwhile, a temporary bridge over Papu river, a lifeline connecting Seppa and the state capital, a culvert at Yangsey village connecting Bana and Palizi, and some houses at Yasing village have also reportedly be damaged by heavy downpour.

Meanwhile, at Mechuka

Incessant rains for several days have reportedly caused severe waterlogging in many parts of Mechuka, the headquarters of Shi-Yomi district, further exposing the poor drainage system of the township.

Heavy downpour reportedly inundated many low-lying areas in and around the town including Old Bazaar line, thereby creating panic among locals.

KL Mosing, market committee secretary, said waterlogging has been caused due to lack of proper drainage system. “Due to lack of proper drainage rain water accumulated in the low laying areas is causing waterlogging. This in turn is resulting in public inconveniences,” Mosing said, while requesting the authorities concerned to look into the matter.

Reportedly, the waterlogging is also posing serious threat to the boundary walls constructed around the strategically important advanced landing ground of Mechuka.

Early construction of proper drainage system is vital not only to protect the life and properties of denizens, but also to protect the ALG which is of a national importance, Mosing added.