32 NDRF teams reach Assam, Arunachal

| | New Delhi/Guwahati
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32 NDRF teams reach Assam, Arunachal

Sunday, 21 October 2018 | PNS/Anup Sharma | New Delhi/Guwahati

As many as 32 teams of NDRF have been deployed in various parts of  Assam and Arunachal Pradesh after China informed India about a possible flood situation because of a landslide that blocked the mainstream of Brahmaputra River in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have been put on high alert following the threat of sudden flood.

However, the Central Water Commission (CWC) said that although there is slight increase in the water levels of Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh, the water level of Brahmaputra had not increased so far.

Earlier, Beijing, under the 'Emergency Information Sharing Mechanism' with India, informed New Delhi that a landslide has blocked one of the major rivers in Tibet leading to the formation of an artificial lake.

"In  view of emerging situation and as a precautionary measures, 32 well prepared NDRF teams have been deployed in various parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Out of which 13 teams have been deployed in Arunachal Pradesh, two at Upper Siang and 13 at east Siang district," the NDRF said in a statement. All NDRF teams are fully equipped with various flood rescues and life saving equipment. Some additional teams have also been kept in ready in case of emergency situation arise.

According to Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju,  the government of China is sharing information with India and the information is being passed on to the district administration in Siang belt of Arunachal Pradesh, after China told about a landslide blocking a river in Tibet leading to the formation of an artificial lake. He added that all precautionary measures are being taken and it's not a conspiracy. Rijiju informed that the Siang is a very big river and when there are some natural calamities like earthquakes or landslides, it possesses a danger to people who live downstream.

"Chinese government is sharing information with Indian authorities and Indian authorities have shared information with district administration in Siang belt. All precautionary measures are being taken. You can't say it's a conspiracy. Siang river is a very big river & when there are some natural calamities like earthquakes or landslides, it possesses a danger to people who live downstream," said Rijiju.

Based on the information provided by China,  all relevant authorities of the Central and State governments have been informed about the emerging situation.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday directed authorities in districts bordering Arunachal Pradesh to "remain alert" for possible flash flood. Sonowal has directed the authorities in Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur and Tinsukia districts to remain alert and take all possible steps to prevent any major catastrophe. The chief minister said that six companies of the NDRF has arrived in the state and that they are being deployed wherever necessary. He also asked the people of the state not to panic but remain on alert. Meanwhile, Sonowal has talked to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj over the telephone regarding the issue of possible artificial floods that may affect the State.

The Inland Water Transport (IWT) department of Assam, however, suspended the ferry service in Dibrugarh district from today as precautionary measure.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has also instructed and alerted all the districts located near Siang which might be affected due to the water flow of the river in near future.

Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had informed about the landslide blocking of Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra River in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The MEA said that they are in constant touch with the Chinese side about updates on the landslide.

Chinese Embassy spokesperson Counselor Ji Rong said that his country has activated the 'Emergency Information Sharing Mechanism' with India following the landslide on Wednesday morning near Jiala Village in Milin County in the lower ranges of Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet.

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