ITANAGAR, Jul 13: Torrential downpour which has been going on for almost a week has resulted in flood in many parts of the state causing distress to a large part of the population.
In East Siang, unabated rain during the last couple of days has caused rise in water levels in mighty Siang along with Siku, Sibo-Korong and other tributaries halting normal life. As a precautionary measure, district administration has cautioned citizens to refrain from venturing into rivers for fishing, swimming etc and  banned lifting of driftwoods such as logs, trees, bamboos and uprooted vegetative materials brought by rivers. People living in low-lying areas have been advised to remain alert but not panic. 
Siku river bridge point which is a few kilometers from Pasighat has become vulnerable as water level has rapidly increased resulting in washout of the embankment by the strong currents on Saturday morning. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Kinny Singh conducted field visit to the place to access ground realities and held a series of meetings with DDMO, WRD PWD (HW), BRO and other concerned departments besides directing all the Head of Departments and officers to remain in station until further orders. All should remain alert and sensitize people and remain vigilant for any kind of measures as needed, DC instructed issuing the order. 
Prohibitory order u/s 144 Cr.PC has been issued by DC in public interest which bans entry of heavy vehicles on bridge above the capacity of 1 ton. Complete ban  of traffic  between  7 pm & 5 am for the next 7 days has come into force. DC also directed the EE(Highway), EE(PWD), EE(WRD) to take necessary corrective measures to prevent further erosion of the road and abutment of bridge. SP has been directed to deploy sufficient police personnel to implement this order in letter and spirit. ADC, Mebo and CO (Namsing) have also been ordered to constantly monitor the situation. Meanwhile, highway engineers with the help of BRTF/BRO are putting all efforts to commence restoration work braving heavy downpour. 
In Lohit district, continuous downpour for the last one week has made Lohit river furious which has damaged and washed away the 500 meters long Boulder Coated Guide Wall (BCGW) built. Flowing in high velocity carrying logs and natural vegetation, it washed out about 150 meters of guide wall posing threat to the downstream, especially the Jhalukbari, TR and 25th BN ITBP camps.
“The BCGW maintains the high spate of the river but the wrath of nature is beyond human capacity to defend. We have used Plastic Coated Galvanize Wire (PCGW), best wires and adhered to every techniques under Flood Management Plan (FMP), but unfortunately indomitable nature overpowered everything,”rued  the WRD personnel. When enquired about over breaching of guide wall, DDMO Damchen Norbu cited that rampant sand and boulder quarries may be one of the major causes. DDMO also informed that seven families have been shifted from the flooded river bank of Dhora Nallah. “There is no loss of life and water levels in various rivulets are receding due to a slight improvement in weather condition,” he said. 
Earlier, DC Prince Dhawan issued an executive order alerting citizens from going to the river site and fishing. Heavy rains continued to batter parts of Sunpura, affecting normal life and causing water-logging in some areas and New Hatiduba School.
In Namsai district, major rivers including the Lohit, Kamlang, Berring are flowing turbulently with high velocity causing erosion. Three houses were damaged in Bihari Tapu under Chowkham circle due to flood. At Silatoo Bridge & Rongalibeel, flood control works have been washed away.
In Lower Dibang Valley district an emergency meeting to review flood at Paglam and situation arising due to incessant rains in the district was held today by the Deputy Commissioner Mitali Namchoom in presence of SP S. K. Sain, ADC Tapik Pertin, ADC Dambuk Rujjum Rakshap, HoDs and Administrative Officers.
A decision was taken to close down schools at Paglam for a week, until flood situation normalises. It was also decided to dispatch addition stock of rice, packaged drinking water, life jackets and inflatable rafts for use at Paglam. DC advised all to adhere to the District Disaster Management Plan put in place and instructed the departments to activate the static units formed in the district. She also instructed all the officials to remain is station till the situation normalises. Health department has been instructed to sensitize public on the importance of boiling water before consumption and other preventive measures to check spread of water-borne diseases. Food and Civil supplies department has been instructed to maintain sufficient stock of essential commodities and the police department was directed to deploy personnel at the Dibang bridge point and other areas to warn and assist people in case of any eventuality.
DMO informed that two Medical Officers are stationed  at Paglam with sufficient stock of medicines. A team led by DC also visited the Bomjir area and Dibang bridge to assess the damages caused by swollen river. Inputs from Bishnu Rana, DIPRO

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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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