Gauhati: India Torrential rains triggered a mudslide burying a labour camp in India's remote northeast bordering China early Friday, killing at least 15 people, police said.
Rescuers were searching for two missing workers from the mountainous camp in Tawang, a tourist spot in Arunachal Pradesh state, said police officer Nabin Payeng. Tawang is a Buddhist mountain retreat.
Rescuers found 16 bodies buried in the debris. Three workers escaped from the camp at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters (7,500 feet), Payeng said.
The area was lashed by pre-monsoon rains this week.
Landslides are common in the area, but usually during the monsoon season, which runs from June through September.
Landslide kills 16 in Arunachal Pradesh - https://t.co/mQOFZa4cOF pic.twitter.com/JQXHmUzuC6 — LokMarg (@LokMarg) April 22, 2016
The tragic incident occurred on "Earth Day", a massive landslide was reported from Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday, April 22.
On this #EarthDay, more than 10 people are feared killed in a landslide caused by flash flood in Tawang #ITPhotoblog pic.twitter.com/Me01b4foPE— India Today (@IndiaToday) April 22, 2016
Heavy downpour since early April caused much damage at various places of Changlang town and Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh with road blockades and mudslides at various places.
Rain water also flooded roads and caused sporadic mudslides at various areas. As per reports, the Margherita-Changlang road had also been damaged at several points.
Water and electricity supply in the township have also been hit.
