A view of rain-hit East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. Image credit - Northeast Now

Surface communications have been hit in several parts of the East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh due to heavy rains for the last couple of days.

Road communications to Bameng, Chayangtajo, Gyawepurang and Pipu have been snapped in many locations while Kadeya village under Bana sub-division has been ravaged by flood water.

Many houses, granaries, agriculture land, piggeries and other properties in the village have been damaged and washed off completely and a lone bridge connecting the village with the rest of the district has been washed off.

The Kameng, Bichom, Pappu and Pakke rivers and its tributaries are also at high spate.

Following this, deputy commissioner Gaurav Singh Rajawat has directed the EAC and BDO of Bana to assess and report the situation for immediate response.

The DC has also instructed all administrative officers to caution people from venturing into river and simultaneously advised the citizens to take precaution while proceeding for any journey.

Meanwhile, EAC Atin Padung and BDO Rakham Langdo along with the members of East Kameng Social Welfare & Cultural Organisation led by its chairperson Dahey Sangno visited the Kadeya Village and interacted with the affected families.

After taking stock of the situation, the EKSWCO assured of providing all possible assistance and urged the concerned authority to release the immediate relief to all affected families.

On finding the crux of the devastation, the EKSWCO has warned the construction company, the Sushee Infra Ltd, to accept the onus for the destruction.

Expressing displeasure with the progress of construction works, the EKSWCO strongly advocated for early completion of all pending works, particularly the incomplete bridges along the Trans-Arunachal Highway and cautioned to take stern action if there is any lackadaisical attitude from company end.

As an immediate succour to the victims, the EKSWCO distributed utensils, plastic carpets, food grains and other essential items to affected families.

As reported by the villagers, the cause of the destruction is partially due to nature’s fury and mostly due to negligence of the construction company, the Sushee Infra Ltd.

The villagers pointed out that the diversions of river Kadeya at its upstream for construction of a new bridge was one of the main reason for the devastation.

Meanwhile, a temporary bridge over Papu river, a lifeline connecting Seppa and the state capital, a culvert at Yangsey village connecting Bana and Palizi and some houses at Yasing village have also reportedly be damaged by heavy downpour.

At Mechuka:

Incessant rain for several days has reportedly caused severe water-logging in many parts of Mechuka, the headquarters of Shi-Yomi district further exposing the poor drainage system of the township.

Heavy downpour reportedly inundated many low-lying areas in and around the town including old Bazaar line thereby creating panic among the denizens.

K.L. Mosing, market committee secretary, said water-logging has been caused due to lack of proper drainage system.

“Due to lack of proper drainage rain water accumulated in the low laying areas is causing water-logging. This in turn is resulting in public inconveniences,” Mosing said, while requesting the authorities concerned to look into the matter.

Reportedly, the water-logging is also posing serious threat to the boundary walls constructed around the strategically important advanced landing ground of Mechuka.

Early construction of proper drainage system is vital not only to protect the life and properties of denizens, but also to protect the ALG which is of a national importance, Mosing added.

Damien Lepcha is Northeast Now Correspondent in Arunachal Pradesh. He can be reached at: [email protected]