10 Found Dead, 3 Rescued in Arunachal Pradesh Landslide

Five people who were reported missing on Friday, were found dead the next morning when rescue operations resumed.

A damaged houses after landslide at upper Bhalukpung area of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday. (Photo: PTI) 

The toll in a landslide that buried several houses in Bhalukpong in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district rose to 10 with the recovery of five more bodies this morning.

The rescue operation in the West Kameng district was suspended last evening, and resumed at the break of the dawn which is when the five bodies were recovered, West Kameng SP A Koan said.

The bodies extricated from the debris were of Pinky Boro (40), Miali Chetry (40), Niky Boro (10), Juala Chetry (10) and 9-month-old Angel Lenua, who were reported missing on Friday.

Five persons, including two women and a teenager, were killed on Friday while five others remained missing in a landslide that buried several houses in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district, which is being lashed by torrential rains.

Three persons have been rescued from the debris, but they have sustained serious injuries, an official said.

West Kameng district superintendent of police (SP) A Koan said the landslide occurred around a small hillock in Bhalukpong town.

According to ANI, five officials of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) were also among those reported missing. Officials said the incident was reported around noon after a IB hut in the area was hit by a landslide.

Workers busy in cleaning the debris of massive landslide that buried several houses at Bhalukpong in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday. (Photo: PTI) 

A district official said:

There have been torrential rains for two days which seems to have triggered the landslide. The victims were residing below a small hillock, which caved in, burying the 10 people.

The bodies extricated from the debris were identified as Leel Bahadur Chetry (57), Dilip Gwala (15), H Barman (54), Durga Barman (45) and Rina Barman (24).

Arunachal Pradesh Governor JP Rajkhowa announced ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh to the kin of each victim.

In a press release from Raj Bhawan, Rajkhowa advised them to remain alert and take necessary precautions as the state is experiencing torrential rainfall.

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul also expressed grief over the loss of lives. Pul, who is monitoring the situation from New Delhi, has directed the West Kameng district administration to mobilise all heads of departments, officials and staff, including the Army, ITBP and local police for search and rescue operation.

He announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 4 lakhs for the deceased’s kin and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured, assuring that the state government will bear all medical expenses.

Pul also directed the authorities to dispatch teams from Itanagar to the site with ambulances, paramedics and nurses and also asked them to set up medical camp at the site.

(With agency inputs)