Itanagar, May 25: Following continuous rainfall and increasing landslide threats behind Siddhartha Hall in Itanagar, the District Administration and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Capital Itanagar, have intensified emergency safety and mitigation measures to safeguard residents and prevent any untoward incidents.
A joint inspection team comprising Deputy Commissioner Toko Babu, Art & Culture Director Ibom Tao, DDMO Moromi Dodum, Itanagar SP Jummar Basar, RFO Techi Khili, DIPRO i/c Rechi Lugnya Likha, along with officials from Capital Division-A, including the Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer, carried out an on-site inspection of the landslide-affected area to assess the situation and review immediate preventive measures.
In view of the imminent threat posed by the landslide-prone area, notices under Section 152 of the BNSS, 2023, read with Section 30 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, were served on May 24 to residents living below and near Siddhartha Vihar Hall, directing them to vacate vulnerable locations within 24 hours and shift to safer places.
As part of ongoing mitigation efforts, vulnerable trees around Siddhartha Hall are being trimmed and removed to minimize risks arising from unstable soil conditions and continuous rainfall.
Temporary slope protection measures, including the placement of protective tarpaulin and geo-sheets over exposed and erosion-prone slopes, are also being undertaken to reduce rainwater infiltration and prevent further weakening of the slopes.
The authorities have identified and kept relief camps ready at GUPS, ESS Sector (Itanagar), Community Hall, Borum, Community Hall, G-Sector (Naharlagun), and Nikum Niya Hall, Banderdewa.
The DDMA stated that continuous monitoring of the affected area is underway and appealed to residents to cooperate with authorities and prioritize safety by relocating to safer locations. It also warned that non-compliance with evacuation directives may invite legal action under Section 51(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. (DIPRO)