Landslides, Heavy Rains Claim 27 Lives In India’s Northeastern States

New Delhi, Sept 24, IRNA - Landslides triggered by heavy rains claimed 27 lives, including those of ITBP and BRO personnel in Sikkim, even as flood situation in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh deteriorated with vast areas reeling under its impact. In Gangtok, capital of Sikkim state at least 21 bodies, including those of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel, were found while eight persons were missing following flash floods and landslides in remote areas of North Sikkim, pti reported quoting official sources. Landslides were caused by heavy rains since September 19, Deputy Commissioner North district T W Khangsherpa said, adding there were about nine landslides blocking the main road between Chungthang and Mangan in the district. Meanwhile, another landslide occurred at an area about a kilometer from Mangan, the district headquarter town of North Sikkim, blocking NH 31-A and leaving the northern side of the Himalayan state cut off. In Assam, flood situation deteriorated with 15 districts reeling under its impact, as large parts of Dibru-Saikhowa and Kaziranga National Parks and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary submerged. Five deaths have been reported. The surging waters of the swollen rain-fed Brahmaputra and its tributaries overran fresh areas affecting an estimated five lakh people in different districts. Incessant rains in Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan foothills and in Assam for the last 15 days, have caused the Brahmaputra and its tributaries to rise above the danger level in most places and breach river dykes, embankments and overflow into human habitats and farm land. Over two lakh people have been affected in the fresh wave of floods in five districts of Arunachal Pradesh with majority of the rivers and tributaries flowing over the danger mark Sunday, causing one death./end