Authorities to use space experts to assess floods damage

The government has directed authorities to use experts from space technology and Indian Space Research Organisation to assess the damage caused by floods and landslides in the northeast in which nearly 80 people have died till now.

Minister for Development of North East Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh said that he has approached the Health Ministry to undertake measures to prevent outbreak of epidemics and Telecom Ministry for restoration of communication lines.

"I have asked the Resident Commissioners of northeastern states to work in close coordination with the DoNER Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office to further monitor the situation," said Singh while chairing a review meeting.

Also, the DoNER Ministry and the PMO are in touch with a team led by MoS (Home) Kiren Rijiju over the situation in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, he said.

"The damage caused by the rainfall is unprecedented and a total of 58 districts have been affected due to floods/landslides in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur. Around 80 lives have been lost," he added.

In one of the recent landslides in Arunachal Pradesh, 14 people are feared dead and many others trapped in Papum Pare district.

--IANS

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