75 families trapped in flash flood water in Arunachal Pradesh

25 June, 2012

Hundreds of Chakma villagers in Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district have been rendered homeless and are at risk of being washed away by flash floods caused due to incessant rains in the last few days. 59 houses have been inundated and 16 others have been washed away

FLASH FLOOD caused by incessant rains in the past few days in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district has rendered 75 Chakma families homeless. The swollen Noa-Dehing river caused extensive damages to two Chakma villages of Vijaypur-I and Vijaypur-II under Bordumsa circle.

At about 12.30 am on June 24, the turbulent river breached the anti-erosion protection wall built by the Water Resource Department (WRD) in 2010-11 on the left bank and tore apart the area between Vijaypur-I and Vijapur-II. 59 houses have been inundated and 16 others washed away. As the two villages are ripped apart, the right side remained inaccessible and 75 families, including women, children and aged, remained trapped because of the flood water.

Rescue work remained hampered due to the strong currents of the river and couldn't be started till the morning of June 25. These families are at risk of being washed away anytime. Actual situation will be known once the area is accessible. It is feared that many could have been drowned.

In addition, standing crops, road, livestock, etc were washed away, while an under construction PMGSY bridge was completely damaged. The affected Chakma villagers also lost important official documents in the deluge.

Many families are also affected in the left side. The Vijaypur middle school has been declared as a temporary relief camp till the situation improves by the local administration. Relief items including rice, kerosene oil, drinking water, fruits, etc are distributed by the local administration and an NGO among the hapless people. A medical camp has reportedly been set up. The local administration has announced Rs. 2,000 each as immediate relief for those whose houses were completely washed away.

There was no report of casualty in the affected area in the left side. But, a sick villager died in a hospital in Assam due to delay caused by the flood in providing treatment.

Flood due to incessant rains is not new in the area. However, the current flood has been described as a “never-seen-before phenomenon” by the affected people. Large area, including agricultural lands has been washed away or remained submerged.

The combined population of the two villages is over 3000. There is already scarcity of land among the Chakmas due to loss of land in the past floods. The situation will only exacerbate.