ARUNACHAL LANDSLIDES KILL 8
■ Destruction seen around the Waii International Hotel following a massive landslide amid incessant rainfall in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, on Friday.
GUWAHATI: Eight people were killed in several incidents of landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall, in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.
Four members of a family, including an eight-month-old baby, were buried alive while sleeping as a massive landslide hit their house in Papumpare district of Arunachal Pradesh around 2:30 am. The bodies were retrieved from the debris by police and NDRF personnel with the help of locals.
Expressing grief, chief minister Pema Khandu tweeted: “Saddened by a tragedy that struck Tigdo village in Papumpare district this morning, where four members of a family perished in the landslide.”
In another incident, four people were feared buried in another landslide that took place at 12:30 pm at Modirijo, between Itanagar and Naharlagu.
According to a government report, bodies of three of the victims have been retrieved while efforts are underway to recover the fourth victim.
The CM’s office (CMO) announced an ex gratia of ~4 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. “Incessant rain for the last couple of days that triggered landslides and floods has left trails of large scale devastation in the entire state,” Khandu said.
“Reports have been pouring in about landslides in various locations from around the state capital. Road communication has been badly affected by nature’s fury,” he added.
The CM cautioned that as per India Meteorological Department (IMD), there is a likelihood of heavy rain across the state in the next few days. He requested everyone to take precautionary measures.