Landslides triggered by incessant rainfall is making it tough for the commuters, especially returnees of West Kameng, Tawang and East Kameng districts in Arunachal Pradesh to travel back to their hometowns as it has washed away several portions of roads along the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang (BCT) highway adding salt to the injury during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Power supply to the West Kameng district has also been affected following heavy rainfall and landslides which has been battering the district and several other parts of the state for the past few days, officials said on Thursday.
Following this, the local administration of Bhalukpong on Thursday put into action ‘Plan B’ by re-routing the stranded persons of West Kameng and Tawang through the Orang-Kalaktang-Shergaon-Rupa-Tenga (OKSRT) road.
“We are screening the stranded persons coming from outside at Bhalukpong check gate and providing refreshments to them,” informed Bhalukpong extra assistant commissioner Tamo Riba.
Superintendent of police Raja Banthia said owing to the present crisis, there would be only one convoy per day and the same shall move under police escort without stopping anywhere between Bhalukpong and Balemu Check gates.
“The point of entry shall be Bhalukpong as usual and not Balemu. The returnees will have to report to Bhalukpong check gate only,” the SP said.
He said the convoy for East Kameng shall continue to be escorted by Seppa police from Bhalukpong to Seppa via the Pinjoli-Khuppi road.
Deputy commissioner Karma Leki, had on Wednesday, issued directives to all administrative officers to take precautionary measures to avoid any damage to life and property in the district due to the cyclonic storm-Amphan.