Rain-triggered landslides snap key roads in Siang district

Govt urged to sanction ‘flood protection project over Simang’

Gandhi DARANG

BOLENG, Sep 24: Several key roads in Siang district have been snapped owing to landslides triggered by incessant rainfall for the last two days, affecting the denizens of the district.

A portion of BRO road between Boleng town and Simang bridge was heavily damaged this morning due to heavy downpour. Also, the road leading to the under construction district hospital and Simang Angling festival ground from Simang bridge point was washed away by Simang river yesterday. The school going children and the office goers are facing numerous problems due to the road blockade.

In this regard, Adi Students’ Union president Jirbo Jamoh has appealed to the district administration and the PWD, Boleng Division to ensure immediate restoration at the block point and arrange alternative road for the district hospital.

“This road needs special attention otherwise during the rainy days the commuters will face various untold problems and the road will be at more risk", Jamoh said.

He further requested the state government to sanction a mega flood protection project over Simang river to give a permanent solution to the annual flood ‘worries’ of the people of this region.

Landslides also hit a road portion at Lehlek block point near Rottung village in Siang district between Pasighat and Pangin. Reportedly, a construction agency pressed men and machineries into service to make the road through and it was open for traffic in the evening.

According to information from the Highway Department, Pasighat-Pangin road (NH-13) was blocked at 36.200km and Pasighat Mariyang Yingkiong Road (NH-513) blocked at 14.700Km.

Due to the absence of a proper drainage system, the 11 km long road from Kebang to Yemsing village was also damaged at various points. The locals have voluntarily repaired the road.

Moreover, a tree also fell over the Pasighat transmission line at tower location No 55 near Éhar Dínggo in between Babuk and Kebang, as reported by the JE, Pasighat from the site.

Pasighat Transmission Division (electrical) executive engineer Taduram Darang informed that the line fault was detected at 4.40 pm but due to darkness and inclement weather the line couldn't be cleared today.

He added that the restoration team from Pasighat will leave early in the morning tomorrow for restoration of the fault.

Further, the EE requested the public to bear with the inconvenience at this point of time.

The power supply to East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit and Namsai districts are likely to be affected, while Lohit and Namsai may get power supply from Assam, he stated.