Itanagar, June 29 (IANS). Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday said Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to her to take stock of the flood situation in the state. The state has been badly affected by the continuous monsoon rains and resulting floods for the last one week.
In a social media post, the Chief Minister said he thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for calling him to take stock of the flood situation in Arunachal Pradesh.
The CM said he briefed Shah about the changing situation and the ongoing relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations. Also, he appreciated Shah’s promptness and commitment towards the welfare of the people of the state.
On Monday, floods caused by incessant monsoon rains wreaked havoc across the state, affecting thousands of people in different ways in 12 out of 28 districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
The death toll due to flash floods caused by rain since June 23 in the worst-affected Keyei Panyor district has risen to three, a disaster management official said. On Sunday, rescue workers recovered the body of a 48-year-old man. The third deceased was identified as Saurabh Kumar Kharwar (48). His body was found near Hawa Camp in neighboring Papum Pare district.
Earlier, bodies of a 35-year-old woman and another woman were recovered on Wednesday and Saturday respectively. Two other people, including a minor, are still missing.
About 20 houses and residential buildings were damaged in flash floods in Yazali circle of Keyi Panyor district due to incessant rains since June 23.
Rescue operations are underway in the affected 12 districts, where floods and landslides have damaged roads, bridges and houses, claimed lives and disrupted road connectivity. The exact number of losses caused by the rains and floods is yet to be officially confirmed as officials are collecting and verifying information from the affected districts.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday virtually reviewed the flood situation across the state. During the review meeting, Chief Secretary Manish Gupta, Director General of Police S.D. Singh Jamwal and senior officials were present with the Chief Minister.
In a post on social media, Khandu said he held a virtual review meeting on the flash floods in Keyi Panyor with the Deputy Commissioners of Kurung Kumey, Kra Dadi, Lower Subansiri, Keyi Panyor and Kamle in the presence of the Chief Secretary, DGP and officials of the concerned departments. He said they took stock of the availability of relief, rescue, road restoration, medical aid and essential supplies and also discussed timely assistance and measures to bring the situation back to normal. He said that the government is committed to providing all possible help to the affected people.
In another Facebook post, Khandu quoted the India Meteorological Department (IMD) as saying that Arunachal Pradesh is likely to receive widespread rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning till July 1, and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over many districts.
He said that there is a possibility of landslides, flash floods, waterlogging, uprooting of trees and disruption in road traffic, electricity and communication services, especially in sensitive areas.
The Chief Minister appealed to people to remain alert, avoid non-essential travel in areas prone to landslides and floods, follow the advice of local administration and keep an eye on official weather information.
–IANS
SCH/DKP
