FRESH floods and landslides triggered by incessant rain disrupted life and damaged public infrastructure in several districts of Arunachal Pradesh, an official statement said. The toll in the ongoing deluge in the state remained at seven, while over 97,000 people were affected, it said. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said heavy rainfall in the upper reaches of the Kumey River early on Monday triggered flash floods in Kurung Kumey district, causing extensive damage in Parsi-Parlo circle and Damin subdivision. In Damin subdivision, a bridge connecting Huri and Damin was washed away, snapping road connectivity. In Parsi-Parlo circle, the Inspection Bungalow was inundated, two residential houses suffered partial damage, a church was damaged and a bridge connecting Pagam village was washed away, the statement said.

 

The floods also caused extensive damage to St Thomas School, a prominent educational institution in the area. The entire campus was submerged, damaging buildings, classrooms, teaching materials, furniture, equipment and teachers’ quarters, it said, adding that academic activities have been halted. The flash floods severely affected transportation, public infrastructure and residential properties. The district administration is coordinating with paramilitary forces, police and other stakeholders to assess the damage and carry out relief measures. A detailed assessment is underway to ascertain the extent of the damage and identify immediate restoration requirements, the statement said. In Pakke Kessang district, a massive landslide blocked National Highway 13 near Pakro village on Monday. District officials said restoration of the affected stretch is expected to take two to three days.