East Siang on high alert after heavy rains trigger flood-like conditions in Arunachal
Following incessant rains over the past few days, a high alert has been issued for the low-lying areas of East Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh.
Tayi Taggu, the East Siang Deputy Commissioner (DC), who took stock of the situation on Tuesday, requested that the residents of this area refrain from swimming in the river.
In spite of this, he advised people not to panic because the departments of water resources and disaster management are closely monitoring the situation.
“People would be notified in advance of any impending danger,” he explained.
In light of the emerging situation, Taggu advised officials not to leave the district headquarters and to remain alert.
Tsangpa Tashi, the District Disaster Management Officer, reported that Pasighat recorded 482 mm of rainfall on Monday and 480 mm on Tuesday, the highest rainfall in 25 years.
According to him, the water level in the Siang River is rising, but it is below the danger mark. The SDRF team is closely monitoring the situation and has visited all vulnerable areas in Pasighat township, he explained.
Gonong Pertin, Executive Engineer of Pasighat Water Resources Department, stated that the Central Water Commission (CWC) is constantly communicating with him.
According to him, no abnormal water flow has been observed at the Guaging station for the Siang River so far.
Roads Pasighat-Pangin and Pasighat-Siger were blocked in several places due to massive landslides, according to Highway Executive Engineer Dabe Perme.
“Men and machinery have been deployed to clear the roads in all of these areas,” he stated.
Power Department Executive Engineer Tarik Mize said the Sille river washed away electric poles connecting the 11kv line linking Sille to the 12 Mile area.
As a result of the heavy rains, the repairs have been hampered.
On Tuesday evening, 31 Power Grid Corporation workers stranded on an island in the Dibang river at Bomjir in Lower Dibang Valley district since Monday were rescued, officials said.
After heavy downpours, the labourers got stuck on the island as the river level rose.
They added that the 12th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) led the rescue operation, which was assisted by the district administration, police, fire service personnel and local fishermen.
