A cloudburst in Angrim village in Dibang Valley district has caused massive destruction in the area, including blockage of the main roadway connecting Anini to Chigu. The sudden downpour triggered mudslides and landslides, damaging crops, plantations, homes, and government infrastructure.
A similar disaster had struck the village in 2019.
The process of restoring the damages has begun, including repairing the water tanks, water supply, and clearing the roadway blockage. The Army, BRO machinery, and civil administration have come together to carry out the restoration work.
Cloudbursts often result in mudslides and floods, sometimes wiping out entire areas in many hill states. While the Indian Meteorological Department’s predictions have improved over the years, they are still insufficient. Much more needs to be done by the states and the union government, including evacuation planning and preemptive measures to mitigate these disasters.
From Jammu to Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh, cloudbursts have become more common. Villages located in vulnerable areas should be considered for relocation after proper research.