Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Sep 14: Floods triggered by torrential rain in the capital complex have claimed three lives, including that of a three-year-old, while three more persons are reportedly still missing since the early hours of Friday.
At least 55 houses were damaged by flood in Modirijo Colony in Itanagar during the wee hours, following Thursday night’s cloudburst. The water level of the river nearby rose and swept away the houses.
According to an official report, around 18 houses were fully washed away and 37 houses were damaged partially in Modirijo.
Yadi Rigio (45) drowned while the body of a three-year-old child, identified as Kojom Beyong, son of Tafang Beyong, a resident of Modirijo Colony, was retrieved from Oju Mission Colony by a team of police, NDRF and SDRF personnel.
Those missing from Modirijo area include Mary Beyong (32), Pungpi Beyong (10), and Tagung Rigio (55).
The body of Mohan Bahadur Chetry, aged about 40 years, was recovered from Donyi Polo Colony, Itanagar, which was also badly hit by flood.
Rescue teams managed to retrieve three persons, including Taring Yaha (40), wife of late Mohan Bahadur Chetry, and Rake Naku (30) from Donyi Polo Colony. All of them are currently undergoing treatment.
Officials informed later that the joint teams of police, NDRF and SDRF personnel have put the rescue operations to a halt, and will resume on Saturday.
The district administration has set up two relief camps, one at the government primary school in Modirijo, and the other at government primary school in Donyi Polo Colony.
According to official reports, floods have damaged about 33 houses in Donyi Polo Colony, the Lobby area, and near Rajiv Gandhi Polytechnic College in Itanagar, and in Press Colony/Kurung Pare in Naharlagun.
In Donyi Polo Colony, nine houses were fully damaged and four were partially damaged and half of the culvert was washed away. The flood washed away three cars and three bikes.
In Press Colony/Kurung Pare, two houses were fully damaged and 17 houses were partially damaged. One house was fully damaged near Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic College.
The approach road to Modirijo has also been washed away, while the culvert in Donyi Polo road has been partially washed away. The culvert in Senki View, near the water treatment plant, has also been washed away.
In Naharlagun, the water level of the nearby river rose and flooded about five houses near Press Colony in Papu Nallah at around 5 am. The suspension Bailey bridge in Press Colony has also collapsed.
Water supply has also been disrupted in many areas due to severe damages in Poma and Senki View areas in Itanagar.
The PHE&WS EE informed that some of the areas that would be affected with disruption in water supply are Itanagar, Senki Park, Senki View, Donyi Polo Colony, Panchali, Tagin Colony, Mowb-II, Lobi, Kime Paka, Papu Nallah, and Naharlagun.
He said alternative water supply arrangement would be made in these areas through rationed water supply from Itanagar Phase-II Poma water supply, and through tankers that will supply water every day from 6.30 am to 10.30 am, and from 4.30 pm to 8.30pm.
Capital Complex DC Prince Dhawan along with DDMO Moromi Dodum Sonam visited all the areas of incident and met with the victims.
Many schools in the capital complex have been designated as temporary relief shelters, the DC said, and appealed to all the denizens of the capital who reside in low-lying areas or disaster prone areas to shift to their nearest relief shelter in case of heavy rain to avert any kind of disaster.
All relief materials, including blankets, vessels, utensils, etc, will be provided by the district administration, the DC said. He added that all the places where there were blocks, like Lobi, Donyi Polo road, etc, have been cleared and opened for traffic.
The DC also issued an order directing the people residing in vulnerable areas to vacate to safer locations or temporary relief camps to avoid loss of lives and properties.
The order also stated that those deliberately staying in landslide areas or “water path areas along the rivers, nallahs, streams and hillsides” at their own risk would not be entitled to claim any compensation whatsoever.
He stressed that the people should not carry out earth-cutting and dumping activities during monsoons, and appealed to the denizens to remain alert.
The toll-free number, 1077, of the emergency operating centre can be contacted in case of any eventuality, he said.
Meanwhile, rainfall-triggered landslides have caused blocks on the Hoj-Potin road. The road between Kala Mati to the waterfall area is still blocked.
Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Dr Joram Beda informed that work is on since last night to clear the blocks.
“Restoration work is continuously going on, but it is not possible to restore it today. We are trying to clear the road as soon as possible,” he said, adding that the Potin-Posa road block has been cleared. (With inputs from DIPRO)
