Itanagar: A massive landslide triggered by incessant rains claimed the lives of at least 16 people at a labour camp in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. The incident occurred when 19 labourers were present inside the camp. All rescue operations have ended and an NDRF left for the spot.
SP Anto Alphonse said, “Altogether 16 bodies have been extricated from the debris, while one seriously injured has been shifted to Tezpur in neighbouring Assam.” He said continuous rains for the past couple of days had triggered landslides in several places of the border district. Rescuers found the bodies and were searching for two other workers feared buried in the debris. Three workers escaped from the camp at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters (7,500 feet). The landslide has also blocked the PWD road in between New Lebrang and a government school, also damaging residential buildings as per reports.
Rains for the past week continues to make lives difficult in the region. Officials said Namsai and Changlang districts have reported issues of rising water of the Noa Dehing and Jengthu rivers. The flood water of the rivers had awashed human habitation and agricultural fields besides damaging many embankments. Heavy erosion continues at villages including, Silatoo Khampti, New Silatoo, Kakoni, Silatoo Kachari, Mahadevpur-I, Waisali, Krishnapur, Mahaloni, Ekorani, Rajabeel, Dirakmiri, Lekang Gohain, Dharampur, Murti Camp, Kherbari, Deobeel, Philobari and Nampong.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his grief on Twitter, extending his condolences to the bereaved families.
