Bad weather forces MP Tai Tagak to cancel aerial survey of flood-hit Arunachal districts

Inclement weather on July 7 forced Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak to cancel a planned aerial survey of flood-affected districts in Arunachal Pradesh, prompting him to opt for ground inspections instead.

Tagak, along with his team, waited throughout the day at the Naharlagun helipad for weather clearance to undertake the helicopter survey of flood-ravaged areas in Lower Siang, Leparada and East Siang districts. However, persistent adverse weather conditions prevented the flight from taking off.

According to officials, the state-owned Global Vectra Bell 412 helicopter had been deployed for the mission, which was scheduled to cover Siji and Igor in Lower Siang district, Basar in Leparada district, Koyu in Lower Siang and the Advanced Landing Ground at Pasighat in East Siang district.

Speaking to India Today NE, Tagak said it had been only two weeks since he took oath as a Rajya Sabha member and that he was committed to standing with people during times of crisis. He noted that his first field visit after assuming office was to Keyi Panyor district, which was severely affected by the cloudburst on June 24.

Assuring full support to flood victims, the MP described the disaster as deeply painful and said he would pursue all possible assistance from the Union government.

"As a representative of the state in the Rajya Sabha, I will seek every possible support from the Central government to help the affected districts. We will ensure that district administrations receive the necessary logistics and assistance so that essential commodities reach people during this difficult period," he said.

Earlier, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, accompanied by a central delegation, conducted an aerial and ground assessment of flood-affected areas in Keyi Panyor and East Siang districts along with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu.