The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of Arunachal Pradesh demolished six shops situated at 6 Kilo, Arunachal Pradesh in response to recent incidents of landslides, floods, and road blockades in various areas of Itanagar.
The action was taken in light of a public notice which was released by the DDMA on June 24, mandating residents living near landslide-prone zones, hills, valleys, hill slopes, flood paths, rivers, and nallahs to vacate vulnerable areas immediately, otherwise eviction drive will be carried out to remove all such blockage of natural course of water.
The notice highlights several issues observed in the region, including the construction of residences and commercial shops over natural drains, which obstruct the flow of rainwater.
Furthermore, the disaster management authority pointed that potential blockades could take place as dwellers dump construction materials along roadsides, leading to debris accumulation in roads, nallahs and culverts.
Thereby, in order to prevent the possible loss of human lives, the authority, under the Disaster Management Act 2005 directed people living near landslide zones, hills or valleys, on the hill slopes or on flood path, rivers and nallahs to vacate the areas.
Furthermore, the public notice states that residents deliberately staying in landslide-prone areas or blocking water pathways will be at their own risk and will not be eligible for any compensation in case of disasters, including man-made ones – unauthorised cutting of hill slopes and construction over natural waterways.
Moreover, the authority directed that in the event of any natural disaster, residents can contact the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) for assistance.