Pre-monsoon showers have already claimed three lives in landslide signaling the arrival of this time of year where anxiety is palpable among residents and the administration as they brace themselves for the havoc of the rainy season.

According to the Skymet, in the last 24 hours alone, few districts of Northeast India witnessed record-breaking rains among them was Pasighat which has observed 161 mm of rainfall, which is the highest rains in last 7 years while second highest in a decade. 

This is grim news for a state which has witnessed untold rain miseries and monsoon is even yet to officially arrive. 

Arunachal being a young mountain system is inherently vulnerable to natural disasters such as cloudbursts, landslides, flash floods and earthquakes. Climate change is increasing the frequency of such disasters. In such a context, all of our interventions need to take this reality into account and strive to reduce the risks as it is increasingly clear that human interventions has worsened the situation. 

Last year the capital complex witnessed several episodes of urban flooding and devastation. It is a common sight around the capital complex to see natural streams and channels constricted to narrow outlets, so that more ground can be reclaimed for construction. Violations of laid down environmental norms, unchecked earth-cutting and construction at vulnerable areas has resulted in massive landslides leading to loss of lives and properties. 

Floods and landslides is a cyclical occurrence every monsoon but it has to be accepted that we are none too wiser. Each year it’s the same replay and rather than taking necessary preventive measures, our focus is on post disaster restoration and rehabilitation instead of being on permanent mitigation measures. The emphasis of our planning process is on disaster management and disaster response, not disaster prevention. We have never been strong on that front. Authorities have faltered in educating the masses on scientific soil testing before construction of houses as much as in warning against the un-mindful construction and earth cutting. The lack of warning and disaster management systems is also a vital factor which must be paid attention.

We ought to remember that nature is almighty; but many times, natural disaster and its impact are a result of multiple things occurring together and sadly as a result or lack of human activity.

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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