DAPORIJO : The Upper Subansiri district administration has launched the airlifting of essential food commodities to the flood-affected administrative circles of Nilling, Lingdam and Upper Giba, ensuring the uninterrupted supply of relief materials to communities cut off by widespread road and bridge damage caused by recent monsoon rains.
Heavy rainfall severely damaged roads leading to Nilling and Upper Giba following breaches along the Nyo and Jao rivers, while the bridge over the Jao River was washed away, leaving 22 villages in Upper Giba completely isolated from the district headquarters.
Another 20 villages under Nilling Circle also remain disconnected after road links were severed. Road connectivity to Lingdam was similarly disrupted, making the transportation of essential commodities by road impossible.
In view of the hardships faced by the affected residents, the district administration, led by Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner, promptly initiated the requisition of helicopter services to transport food grains, medicines and other essential supplies.
The proposal received support from local MLA Taniya Soki before being forwarded to the Directorate of Civil Aviation, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Directorate of Civil Aviation subsequently approved the request and issued a revised helicopter sortie schedule for July 22 and 23. Under the operation, helicopters are transporting rice and other essential commodities from Daporijo to Lingdam and Nilling to ensure timely delivery of relief materials to the affected population.
The district administration, in coordination with the Department of Civil Aviation, District Food and Civil Supplies Office, circle administrations, police and other line departments, has put in place all necessary arrangements at the helipads, including security, crowd management, fire and emergency services, cleanliness, obstacle clearance and other safety measures in accordance with Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) guidelines.
The administration expressed gratitude to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, the Directorate of Civil Aviation, the helicopter crew, line departments and local representatives for their timely support and coordinated efforts in ensuring that essential supplies reach some of the district’s most remote and inaccessible areas.
It reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of residents and said efforts would continue until normal road connectivity is restored.
