N-E border dist cut off by landslides,runs out of supplies

We have been pleading with the Border Roads Organisation to restore the road link. But everyday we have been getting only assurances, rued Tayor Jempen,Deputy Commissioner of Dibang Valley district.

Jempen said the district,with a population of about 8,000,was reeling under severe shortage of essential commodities like foodgrains,diesel,petrol,LPG and medicine. There is simply no stock left of any essential commodity,not even diesel, Jempen said.

Heavy rains and landslides have caused extensive damage to the two micro hydel projects in the district at Hawapani and Chini-Afra,both having an installed capacity of 50 KW each. We are in total darkness as our stock of diesel to run generators have also exhausted, Jempen informed.

Zilla Parishad Chairman Enpi Meyo said,I have failed to meet the Chief Minister despite several attempts. The local MP and MLA do not take phone calls either. Two or three helicopter sorties did bring some rice,but that is inadequate.

With roads to other parts of the district also cut off,there has been no link between Anini and other towns like Aruzo,Italin,Anelih,Mipi and Malini.

25,000 affected in lakhimpur

Lakhimpur (Assam): Assam’s flood-prone Lakhimpur district was on Monday hit by the third wave of floods following heavy rainfall in the foothills of the Himalayas in Arunachal Pradesh affecting more than 25,000 people. The rising waters of Ranganadi and Singora rivers,tributaries of the Brahmaputra,have inundated 50 villages.pti