4 bridges, 10 houses washed away as cloudburst triggers flash flood in Arunachal’s Dirang subdivision

Itanagar: Atleast four bridges and 10 kutcha houses were washed away following flash flood triggered by cloudburst and heavy rain in Dirang sub-division under West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. However, there was no report of any human casualty, official sources said on Sunday.
“The cloudburst occurred on Friday night at around 2240 hours near Sela Tunnel site, Baisakhi, resulting in a heavy downpour, and a major devastation took place along the Miyong River in Dirang sub-division. A total of 10 nos. of kutcha houses and 4 bridges were washed away in 4 different locations of Dirang,” district disaster management officer (DDMO) in-charge Mindu Yangzom said.
She further informed that 17 families of Dhirme village near Nyukmadung got cut off after an iron suspension bridge collapsed.
“Essential ration commodities in the form of rice and edible oil, sponsored by Dirang MLA Phurpa Tsering, have been sent as relief assistance to the stranded villagers through a ropeway arranged by the Relief & Rescue Team (RRT), SSB, SHQ, Bomdila under the supervision of Dirang Circle Officer Nyima Phuntso and I/c DDMO, West Kameng district.”
Moreover, a wooden bridge has been constructed by the villagers for emergency use, the officer said, while adding that severe damages of properties occurred in various locations of the Dirang area.
Meanwhile, in order to take stock of the situation, a team of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), along with the Dirang administration, on Saturday conducted a field survey along the Miyong river, starting from Khonfathhar Bridge in Dirang village up to Senge village.
While informing this, district information and public relations officer (DIPRO) Lobom Tamin said, fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties, but the heavy floods caused significant damage to several houses and properties.
“Three iron hanging bridges at Dhirme (Nyukmadung village) and one each at Zangdorong and Saskarong, near the Hydel of the Hydropower Department, were washed away,” the DIPRO reported.
Moreover, numerous kutcha houses were swept away, and several other houses in Rajapa Colony near Yeshi garage in Dirang suffered partial damage.
“In response to the situation, the DDMA and Dirang Administration have issued an advisory, urging people to stay away from the riverside and remain vigilant during the night,” Tamin said, adding that to address the emergency, the 12th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed.
8 houses gutted: Altogether eight houses and a granary were reduced to ashes in a devastating fire at Gate village under Payum circle of Siang district on Saturday.
Although there was no loss of life, household properties including traditional local beads and ornaments, along with livestock were lost in the inferno. The cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained, informed Siang district DDMO Obang Apum.
Meanwhile, the Siang district administration immediately provided relief and essential items to the fire victims.
UNI