Five Army personnel went missing after a flash flood swept away two shelters at an Army camp in Arunachal Pradeshs Dibang Valley, while four people were killed in a landslide at a road construction site in Upper Subansiri district, officials said on Saturday.
Army camp shelters swept away in Dibang Valley
Officials of the State Emergency Operations Centre said both incidents occurred late on Friday evening following heavy rainfall.
In Dibang Valley, a flash flood swept away two shelters of the 5th Grenadier at Pasu Pani Army Camp. Seven personnel were washed away, of whom two were rescued, while five remain missing.
Two search and rescue teams of the 5th Grenadier have been deployed at the site. Personnel from the 58th Battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, 62 RCC of the General Reserve Engineer Force, Arunachal Pradesh Police and local volunteers have joined the operation.
A State Disaster Response Force team from Pasighat is also being sent to Anini to assist in the search and rescue operation.
Four killed in Upper Subansiri landslide
In Upper Subansiri district, four people were killed after a major landslide struck the Keojaring-Byaching road construction site, burying several workers under the debris.
The deceased were identified as:
- Tadu Baki
- Taji Rai
- Markosh Basumatari
- Babul Ali
The body of Ali has been recovered, the district disaster management officer said.
SDRF, police teams join search operation
Personnel from Nacho Police Station have been deployed for the search and recovery operation. Fire and Emergency Services teams from Daporijo and the SDRF are also being mobilised to assist in the operation.
The SDRF team will move from Ziro to Daporijo and then proceed to Nacho. The team will report to the officer-in-charge of Nacho and will be assisted by a local guide from Daporijo during the search and recovery operation.
All concerned agencies are being coordinated for the safe and effective conduct of the search and rescue operation.
Heavy rain triggers flash floods, landslides
The twin incidents came amid heavy rainfall in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, triggering flash floods and landslides and posing challenges to rescue and relief operations in several remote areas.
Rescue teams are continuing their search for the five missing Army personnel, while operations are also underway to recover those trapped in the landslide debris.