At least 15 labourers were killed and others went missing when a massive landslide, triggered by incessant rains, hit a labour camp in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.
The incident occurred at 3 am on Friday. Seventeen 17 labourers, engaged in construction work, were inside a camp, roughly 4 km away from Tawang town, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) Lod Gambo said.
Local authorities said rescue operation was on and two JCBs have been pressed into service to clear the debris.
The PWD road between New Lebrang and a government higher secondary school has also been blocked due to the landslide. There are reports that residential buildings have been damaged.
Heavy rainfall in the past few days in the district resulted in a flood-like situation which severely damaged the Kitpi Ph-I and Ph-II hydel projects. Power department officials said restoration work could not be started due to the continuous rain and both power stations had been shut down. Taking serious note of the situation, DC Duly Kamduk has directed the department concerned to conduct an assessment and submit a detailed report.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state’s former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki expressed their grief.