Arunachal Pradesh Governor J P Rajkhowa and Chief Minister Kalikho Pul have expressed shock and grief over the loss of 16 lives in a massive landslide triggered by heavy rains at Tawang today.
Praying for the departed souls, the Governor announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs one lakh for the nearest kins of each of the 16 workers who died in the landslide, a release said.
Rajkhowa also mourned the death of the 15-year-old boy Dipak Deori of Namsai, who lost his life due to drowning in the Namsai floods and announced Rs one lakh as ex-gratia.
The Governor called upon the people to remain alert and take necessary precautions as the state was experiencing heavy rainfall, the release said.
He also advised the state government and district administration to warn people living in landslide and flood prone areas, the release added.
Expressing solidarity with the bereaved families in Tawang, Chief Minister Pul announced ex-gratia relief of Rs four lakh to the next of kins of the deceased, Rs two lakh to the critically injured, Rs 50,000 and Rs 4,000 to the injured persons as per the relief norms of the government.
Mourning the death of 16 persons due to the landslide, Pul termed the incident as unfortunate, an official release said.
Keeping constant touch with district administration, Pul asked DC Tawang to give all care and help members of the victims' families and the injured persons in the incident.
He called up Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and apprised him about the prevailing situation of flash floods, landslides and road blocks due to torrential rains for the last several days in the state, the release said.
Pul also discussed the matter with Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who assured all help and support to the state government.
Pul, who was personally monitoring the situation all over the state, was told that there were landslides and flood-like situation in almost all districts during interactions with 18 DCs on the prevailing flood situation.
Major damages and casualties were reported from Tawang. Anjaw, Changlang, Ziro and Yazali were also reported to be badly affected, the release said.
The Chief Minister instructed the DCs to remain alert and inform the police, paramilitary forces, ITBP, schools and colleges about any danger and asked them to keep the District Disaster Task Force ready with adequate stock of medicines, ration items and drinking water.
He further asked the DCs to give hourly reports to the Chief Minister's Office.
Pul appealed the people to remain alert, keep calm, to follow all safety measures and participate in disaster preparedness training and mock drills conducted by the Department of Disaster Management and to stay in safe places.
He urged them to cooperate with the district administration and asked them to inform the CMO hotline numbers 0360-2212341, 2212456 in case of any eventualities.
Former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki also mourned the death of 16 labourers in the Tawang landslide and in a message said "I believe the state government and its agencies are alive to the situation arising out of the continuous downpour and have put remedial and preventive mechanism at place. People living in landslide prone areas and river banks should maintain extra vigil and if possible shift to safer areas.
