Central team in Arunachal to assess losses from natural disasters

A seven-member inter-ministerial Central government team on disaster management headed by Joint Secretary, Home, Shri Prakash arrived in Arunachal Pradesh to assess the losses caused by natural disasters.

The team also called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who said the state is incurring heavy losses due to natural calamities and with limited resources of its own, has to depend mostly on Central government aid. He also suggested the team visit the state immediately after the monsoons to witness the havoc.

The central team leader acknowledged the state's unique position and that recreating damaged infrastructure as one of the biggest challenges for the state in disaster management.

"We understand that costs of construction materials get doubled or even more by the time these reach the site. We will keep this in mind in our recommendations to the Central government," he assured. He also seconded Khandu's suggestion on timing of visit, saying the state government may submit its report by September after monsoon season - so that the Inter-Ministerial team could visit the state to assess the losses by October when the damages are still fresh.

The inter-ministerial team later had a detailed meeting with state government officials and is scheduled to visit flood-ravaged districts of Lower Siang, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit and Namsai on Tuesday. The team conducted survey of the damages caused in and around the twin cities of Itanagar and Naharlagun.

--IANS

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