PASIGHAT, Sep 1: Chief minister Pema Khandu today made an inspection of flood affected areas of Namsing circle in Mebo of East Siang district ravaged by the Siang river. He inspected the stretch of Mebo-Dhola road, the lifeline of Mebo area, washed away by the rampaging Siang river. A certain stretch of road was washed away and about 700 ha of agricultural area has been lost in the recent flood.

Khandu was later joined by a seven member Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) headed by KB Singh, Joint Secretary(FFR), Ministry of Home.

He also visited the site where Namsing villagers had constructed sandbag spurs and bamboo porcupines on self-help basis to protect their village and agricultural land against the rampaging Siang. Interacting with the villagers, he appreciated the effort by the villagers and assured for flood protection work this year on a larger and better scale using newer technology. He said the state government had earlier sanctioned Rs 35 crore flood protection works which was washed away this year by the ravaging Siang river. He also inspected the Government Lower Primary School in Sigar village damaged by the Siang.

Later addressing a meeting at the office of the deputy commissioner East Siang, Chief Minister said the state this year incurred heavy damage due to flood and informed that accordingly he had requested for a central team for ground inspection of flood damages in the state. Whatever funds the Centre grants for flood damages, it will be used judiciously, he said and asked for a strict third party monitoring.

Earlier deputy commissioner East Siang, Dr Kinny Singh in her presentation highlighted a report on the flood damages in the district and said the unprecedented heavy rainfall this year caused massive erosion, damage of crop land, erosion of fertile agricultural land, flooding of low lying areas, infrastructures. The fertile land, rice bowl of East Siang needs to be saved and protected, she appealed.

The inspection tour was accompanied by MP East Tapir Gao, MLA Ninong Ering, MLA Kaling Moyong, MLA Lombo Tayeng, Group Captain Mohonto Panging Pao (Rtd) including top level officials from the state disaster department. CMO/ DIPRO East Sian