At least 16 persons were killed when a massive landslide triggered by incessant rain hit a labour camp in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.
The incident occurred at 3 a.m. when 19 labourers engaged in construction work were inside the camp at Phamla village, near Tawang town, SP Anto Alphonse said.
“Altogether 16 bodies have been extricated from the debris, while one seriously injured has been shifted to Tezpur in neighbouring Assam,” the SP said, adding two labourers were safe.
He said incessant rain for the past couple of days had triggered landslides in several places of the border district.
All the bodies were recovered in the joint operation carried out by the Army, civil administration, police and villagers, he said.
The PWD road between New Lebrang and government higher secondary school is also blocked due to landslide, while damage to residential buildings has been reported from the area.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives. In a message, Mr. Modi extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi expressed distress and shock over the loss of lives. She asked Congress MLAs, the PCC and the frontal organisations to volunteer in relief work.
Meanwhile, continuous rain in the last couple of days has triggered flood-like situation in several districts, including the State capital.
There are reports of rising water of the Noa Dehing and the Jengthu rivers inundating fresh areas besides damaging several flood protection embankments, officials said. According to an official report from Namsai, incessant downpour yesterday deteriorated the flood scenario in the district with both Noa Dehing and Jengthu rivers flowing above the danger mark. Water had inundated human habitation and agricultural fields besides damaging many embankments.
Affected villagers are being shifted from Wingseng Nongtaw village, the report said, adding, flood water has been reportedly entering Dirak Miri village area. Heavy erosion continued at Silatoo Khampti, New Silatoo, Kakoni, Silatoo Kachari, Mahadevpur-I, Waisali, Krishnapur, Mahaloni and Ekorani villages. - PTI
