Arunachal Pradesh landslide toll mounts to 10

ITANAGAR: The toll in the landslide at Bhalukpong in Arunachal Pradesh's West Kameng district rose to 10 with the recovery of five more bodies this morning.

The rescue operation, which was suspended last evening, resumed at the break of the dawn and 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, the SP said.

The landslide, triggered by torrential rain, killed five people and injured four others yesterday. The injured were admitted to the Bhalukpong Community Health Centre.

The rescue operation is being conducted by a NDRF team, ITBP personnel and local residents.

To meet the financial needs for carrying out relief and restoration works, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul had yesterday directed the district administration to use the fund of Rs 30 lakhs at their disposal.

He had also said that an additional fund of Rs one crore would be placed under West Kameng DC for carrying out restoration activities.

According to an official report, the torrential rain has caused substantial damage to a school building, circuit house and storehouses of four government departments besides flooding the local police station.

This is the second major landslide in Arunachal Pradesh this year. On April 22, 15 labourers and a supervisor were killed after a landslide buried their camp near a private hotel construction site at Phamla in Tawang district bordering China.