At least eight persons, including four minors, were killed and one injured in two separate incidents of landslide caused due to incessant rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.
Four members of a family, including a baby girl, perished in a landslide near Yupia, the headquarters of Papum Pare district in the wee hours of Friday. The tragic incident occurred at Tigdo village around 2.30 am when a rain-triggered landslide swept away their house.
In another incident, four persons were buried under debris when a massive landslide hit their dwelling house at Modirijo village at 6 Km point between the twin capital towns of Itanagar and Naharlagun.
Three bodies have been recovered so far. The other person is still suspected to be trapped in the debris. Rescue workers, including Itanagar Police and SDRF personnel, are looking for the missing person.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the loss of eight lives in the landslides at Tigdo and Modirijo villages. He also announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
“Incessant rain for the last couple of days that triggered landslides and floods left trails of large scale devastation in the entire State. Reports have been pouring in about landslides in various locations from in and around the capital region. Road communication has been badly affected by nature’s fury and there is an increase in water flow in streams and rivers,” Khandu said.