Khandu, Rijiju conduct aerial survey of Arunachal's flood-hit areas

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijju on Friday conducted an aerial survey of the state's flood-hit districts where all major roads and highways have been damaged by landslides due to heavy rains.

However, the survey had to be cut short due to inclement weather and the team could not reach Aalo and had to fly to Pasighat.

Khandu and Rijiju were accompanied by assembly Deputy Speaker Tumke Bagra, Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Management Kaling Moyong, NITI Aayog Joint Secretary Vikram Singh Gaur, Inspector General, National Disaster Response Force Ravi Joseph and Home Ministry's Disaster Management Director Gopi Chandra Chawania as they assessed the damages.

The team took stock of the flood condition along the Pasighat-Dambuk highway. Thereon they flew over Namsai, Mahadevpur and Diyun areas where the high level team had a look at the flood condition.

At least 14 people were killed in Laptap village under Papum Pare district when their homes were submerged under debris caused by a massive landslide.

Papum Pare has been the worst-affected district where incessant monsoon rains have disrupted road communication due to landslides.

"The flood situation across the state is being personally monitored and instructions have been issued to all deputy commissioners to take stock of the flood situation in their respective districts," Khandu said

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for prompt response by sending in a central team under Rijiju, he said restoration works would take time as rains is unlikely to subside soon.

Rijiju said that the Union Home Ministry has released Rs 51.48 crore for the state under the State Disaster Response Fund and sanctioned an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those who perished at the Laptap landslide on July 11.

The Prime Minister also announced Rs 50,000 for those injured

--IANS

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