Date:30/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/30/stories/2008103061181300.htm

National

Flash floods kill eight in Arunachal, cut off Tawang

Sushant Talukdar

GUWAHATI: Eight people were killed and at least 100 houses damaged in flash floods in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh on Monday night. The road link between Bomdila and Tawang towns bordering China also snapped due to breach of about 100 metres in one portion of the road following the floods.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu made an aerial inspection of the flood-hit areas and announced an aid of Rs.50 lakh for those whose houses had been damaged. At least 27 houses had been washed away by floodwaters in the district. The State government has also announced ex-gratia of Rs. one lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.

Border Road Organisation and Public Works Department have swung into action for restoring road communication. Official sources, however, said that it would take considerable time for restoring the road link to Tawang. Sources said a number of tourists had been stranded in the border town.

The overall flood situation in Assam’s Lakhimpur and Kamrup district improved on Wednesday with the water level receding. Earlier on Monday night, flash floods occurred in Lakhimpur district following release of excess water from Ranganadi hydel power project of the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation.

Lakhimpur district administration said that because of a cloud burst the communication between the NEEPCO and the administration snapped and as a result the power company could not communicate their warning about the release of excess water in time.