Itanagar
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed shock and sorrow over the tragic incident of a minor Bamang Nijar falling prey to the nature’s fury.
The deceased minor has been identified as 3 years old Bamang Nijar of nursery student of Abu Taru memorial School, Senki Park Itanagar who was washed away by the flood water at Senki Park area on Sunday and her body was recovered from Police Colony Chandranagar the same day.
Expressing deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident, Khandu has announced immediate release of ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakhs to the next of kins according to the laid down norms. He conveyed his deepest condolences and extended solidarity with the bereaved family members.
While appealing the people to be cautious during monsoon which creates havoc every year and claims precious lives, Khandu advised all to be in preparedness to tackle such natural calamity.
Concerned over the latest trail of devastation caused by the incessant rain, Chief Minister Pema Khandu convened an emergency meeting to review the flood situation across the state including the state capital, Itanagar and to discuss on the need to tackle issue in an effective way.
During the course of the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the capital administration to issue orders for safe evacuation of people living in vulnerable areas in the state capital region to safer areas.
He also asked the administration to make necessary provisions for food, medicines, healthcare facilities, drinking water, etc in abundance in the temporary relief camps set up in the Gyan Ganga School campus.
The Chief Minister appealed the people to move out from vulnerable buildings and to take temporary refuge in the relief camps set up by the capital administration till the danger of flood averts.
He asked the state government officials to send a team to further inspect the vulnerable points in the state capital and to convince people to move out who are forcefully staying in those areas. He also asked them to map all the vulnerable points so that any emergency responses could be met effectively.
He directed all the departments to prepare a time bound action plan with a short and long term plan to tackle the flood situation, which is unlikely to improve till the next week. He also asked them to send flood condition report of the state to the Home Ministry calling the situation as grim.
The meeting further discussed on the condition of Barapani Bridge, which is the lifeline between Naharlagun and Itanagar. The capital administration informed that due to risk of flood water rising, the bridge has been closed for heavy vehicles. The Chief Minister asked his officials to immediately prioritise construction of alternative bridges to connect the twin cities.
On flood relief, the Chief Minister asked his officials to intimate the centre for immediate release of SDRF funds. He also asked them to convey the centre for sending inspection team to assess the flood damage.
PHE & WS etc. Minister Bamang Felix said the flood damages in the state capital region is mostly man-made as people have flouted safety norms and called for a strict rules to prevent rampant earth cutting and construction of high-rise buildings in vulnerable areas.
UD Parliamentary Secretary Techi Kaso called for proper scrutiny of flood damage report submitted by affected people since funds are siphoned off through forged reports. He also pressed for implementation of strict laws to prevent people to construct buildings in river catchment and other vulnerable areas.
Health Parliamentary Secretary Phurpa Tsering informed the Chief Minister of the vulnerable points in the state capital region and requested the administration to depute team for evacuation of people. He also informed the Chief Minister of the grim situation of Bomdila town, which is feared to be sinking due to flood water.
Disaster Management Parliamentary Secretary Kaling Moyong informed the Chief Minister about the Mebo bridge, which is facing the risk of being washed away by rising flood water. He also requested the CM for high speed motor boats in major rivers for saving lives during the flooding.
The meeting was also attended Principal Secretary Satya Gopal, Commissioner PWD Belatee Pertin, Secretary Disaster Management Jokey Angu and Capital DC Prince Dhawan.
