The Home Ministry team has arrived in Arunachal Pradesh to take stock of the damage caused by floods and landslides. Due to bad weather, it has not been possible to visit many areas, so the damage is being assessed through satellite images. The Center has assured all possible help.
Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) [भारत]July 10 (ANI): An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) led by Nishtha Tiwari, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), visited the flood-affected areas of Arunachal Pradesh to assess the damage caused by the recent flash floods and landslides. The team assured the state of all possible assistance from the Centre, although many areas still remain inaccessible due to incessant rains. An eight-member high-level delegation inspected the affected areas, including Lower Siang district, to assess the extent of damage. However, the team could not reach some of the worst affected places due to bad weather and blocked roads.
Assessment of damage from satellite images
During the visit, Nishtha Tiwari, Joint Secretary, Home Ministry, said that satellite imagery has been shared with the state administration to help assess the damage in areas which could not be reached. He said, “Satellite images have been received, and a report based on them has been shared with the state administration to assist you in your damage assessment. Please use this report for areas that are currently inaccessible. A team led by the Ministry of Home Affairs has come from New Delhi to assess the damage and disaster caused by the recent heavy rains and flash floods. Since it is still raining and many areas remain inaccessible – the team’s visit is being halted and in this weather Helicopter operations have become impossible – the tour is still going on and is not over yet, but the route was impassable, so we are continuing our work.”
Satisfied with the Centre’s prompt action: MLA
BJP MLA Tojir Kadu welcomed the Centre’s response and said the visiting team had seen the scale of the destruction, although many severely affected areas were still inaccessible. Kadu said, “This inter-departmental ministerial team, a central team led by a joint secretary of the Home Ministry, inspected the affected areas. We are satisfied with the prompt action taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in sending this team. Senior officials have also come here today to assess the situation of our people. They have seen the extent of the damage caused here, although some areas that have been severely devastated – especially within certain circles – are still inaccessible. As a result, the central team cannot reach those specific places. Although they have estimated the distance and scale of damage… the damage is so extensive that it is difficult to estimate the financial cost at this time…”
District administration is also collecting reports
Sonalika Jiwani, deputy commissioner of East Siang, said the district administration has completed its initial assessment and is working on strengthening its report to ensure adequate assistance. He said, “We have already completed an assessment and are seeking guidance on how to further improve our report to secure the best possible assistance. We are confident that if we present the case properly, our people and we will soon receive adequate compensation for our infrastructure and relief needs. Koyu is a sub-division under Lower Siang district. They are cut off; our three villages in Kora circle of East Siang district are cut off. Are.”
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Arunachal Pradesh for July 10, predicting very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. While the central team’s assessment is ongoing, many affected areas still remain inaccessible due to incessant rains. (ANI)
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