At least five people were killed and nine others missing in a landslide triggered to heavy rains in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday, police said, adding the toll could rise.
Five bodies have been retrieved so far from the debris.
Incessant rains for the past three days have triggered landslides and flash floods in various parts of this mountainous state.
"Eight houses have submerged under debris caused by a massive landslide at Laptap village under Papum Pare district this afternoon," said Chief Minister Pema Khandu, adding 14 people are feared buried under the debris.
A thirty-five member NDRF team is on its way to the spot.
The Chief Minister has asked the district administration to be on alert and ordered urgent rescue operation to evacuate probable survivors trapped inside the debris and damaged houses.
He also asked the administration to provide all necessary assistance like food, medicine etc. to the affected victims and shift them to safer locations.
A medical team with life saving drugs and a police team have been despatched to Laptap.
Reiterating his appeal to remain alert and shift from vulnerable places, Khandu said: "Arunachal Pradesh has been at the receiving end of nature's fury every year. The best people can do is avoid vulnerable places and stop rampant tree cutting and deforestation."
The Chief Minister directed the district administration to ensure that people residing in vulnerable areas are immediately shifted to safer locations and provided with all basic amenities at least till the monsoons recede.
Khandu announced release of ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. He conveyed his deepest condolences and extended solidarity with the bereaved family members and prayed for the safety of those who are missing.
Jiten accuses RO of West Parliamentary seat for being ‘biased’ in election process; writes ECI
The Leader of Opposition and also the CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury on Thursday accused the Returning Officer of the West Parliamentary constituency of the Lok Sabha Dr Vishal Kumar over his ‘discriminatory’ attitude towards the opposition parties.
MHA extends AFSPA in parts of Arunachal and Nagaland for 6 more months
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in certain districts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months with effect from April 1, officials said on Thursday.
Arunachal was, is, and will remain an integral part of India: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that China's repetitive claims on Arunachal Pradesh will not change India's position, and the northeastern state will remain an integral and inalienable part of India.
‘To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture', says PM Modi on lawyers’ letter to CJI
Reacting to an open letter to the Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, which was signed by over 600 advocates on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that to "browbeat and bully others is the vintage culture of the Congress".
'Unacceptable, unwarranted': India again slams US' remarks on Arvind Kejriwal
Calling the US State Department's remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal "unwarranted", India on Thursday said that any such external imputation on the electoral and legal process is completely unacceptable.
Excise policy case: Delhi court extends CM Kejriwal's ED custody till April 1
CM Kejriwal, whose alleged role in the excise policy scam is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was produced before Special Judge Kaweri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court on the expiry of his six-day ED remand on Thursday.
CM not above law, says ED as Kejriwal questions rationale behind his arrest
"The case has been going on for two years. The case was filed on August 17. No court has found me guilty. There are no charges against me nor has any case been filed against me. But I have been arrested," he said.
Ukrainian FM arrives in India to build on talks between PM Modi, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
In a first high-level visit by a Ukrainian leader since the start of hostilities with Russia in 2022, Kuleba began his two-day official visit at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.