Torrential rains and landslide create havoc in Arunachal Pradesh

Torrential rains triggered a massive landslide which took away lives of at least 16 people in a labour camp in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh today.

Unplanned housing in the hills have made it one of the most landslide prone areas. The jolts of the landslide were experienced by people far away from the grief stricken spot.

The incident took place today morning when 19 labourers were engaged in construction work inside the camp near a 5 star hotel at Phamla village, 6 km away from Tawang town.

So far 16 bodies have been extricated from the wreckage. The incessant rains had only stimulated this landslide in the various pockets of the border district.

Among the injured people, one severely injured has been shifted to Tezpur while the other two injured have been taken to a local hospital for treatment.

A joint operation was executed by the army, civil administration, police and the villagers to help with the rescue work. All the bodies were carried out from the debris.

For a long time span, local authorities were carrying out relief operations and more army commanders have been stationed there in case of any emergency.

Meanwhile two JCBs have been pressed into service to clear the debris.

This landslide has led to massive disruption in surface transport in Tawang. Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed few landslides and several other natural disasters in the past too.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences to the bereaved families who lost their near ones in the disaster.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee too took to Twitter to express her condolences for the families of the victims.

Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Kalikho Pul said, "We are standing by those affected in this hour of grief... The families of the dead will be given a compensation of Rs 3 lakh each and those injured will be given Rs 50000 per person. We have also ordered a probe into the matter."