Assam Government on High Alert Amid Flash Floods Following Heavy Rainfall
Severe Flooding in Assam
The NEEPCO housing colony devastated by flash floods
Guwahati, June 25: In response to the devastating flash floods caused by heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, the Assam government has declared several districts on high alert. The floods have resulted in five individuals being reported missing, 17 others injured, and extensive damage across the region.
Reports from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Guwahati and the Meteorological Centre in Itanagar indicate that extreme rainfall in Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh has significantly increased river discharge, threatening downstream areas in Assam.
Yazali experienced approximately 72.8 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, with the most intense downpour occurring between 6 am and 9 am on June 24. Satellite and radar data revealed heavy rainfall from 6 am to 7:30 am, which led to flash floods and debris flows in the upper catchment areas.
Flash floods have been reported near the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project, prompting the opening of one spillway gate to manage the rising water levels.
Authorities have cautioned that the flood wave is likely to impact Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, and Sonitpur before progressing downstream to Dhubri within the next couple of days.
Following directives from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Secretary has instructed all relevant departments and district administrations to maintain maximum alertness and ensure readiness. Emergency response teams, including SDRF and NDRF, are on standby, and field officers are monitoring river conditions and vulnerable areas closely.
Residents in low-lying and flood-prone regions have been advised to stay alert and relocate to safer areas if necessary. The government has also urged individuals to refrain from entering flooded zones or using small boats on the Brahmaputra and its tributaries due to expected strong currents.
A high alert has been issued in Lakhimpur district as water levels in the Ranganadi river surged following the release of water from NEEPCO's Panyor Hydro Electric Plant in Arunachal Pradesh.
The district administration has activated emergency protocols and deployed SDRF personnel to respond to any emergencies. Water levels in the Dikrong and Singra rivers have also risen dangerously due to the upstream flash floods.
An emergency helpline has been established, and residents are encouraged to call 6003186268 for assistance.
The flash floods impacted the Poosa area near the NEEPCO project in Arunachal Pradesh's Keyi Panyor district, where heavy overnight rainfall caused a retaining wall under construction to collapse, flooding residential quarters within the NEEPCO colony.
Disaster Management Secretary Dani Salu reported that five individuals are currently missing, and 17 have sustained injuries, with three in critical condition.
The critically injured were transported to Gyati Takka District Hospital in Ziro after being manually carried across a road blockade at Pitapool before ambulances could reach them.
Senior officials, including the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and Circle Officer, have arrived at the site to oversee rescue efforts. SDRF teams have been deployed, and NDRF is on standby. Additional personnel, vehicles, and local ex-servicemen have been mobilized to assist with rescue and relief operations.
As a precaution, NEEPCO has temporarily shut down its powerhouse and is managing controlled water releases from the dam while monitoring the situation closely.
Heavy rainfall has also caused flash floods and landslides in Papum Pare district, disrupting connectivity and damaging public infrastructure.
The road between Mepsoro and Hoj Highway Junction is blocked due to multiple landslides, and the Hoj-Sagalee Highway near the Hoj Power House is also inaccessible. Restoration efforts are ongoing, but officials have stated it is too early to predict when traffic will resume.
Continuous rainfall has triggered several landslides along National Highway-315A (Joypur-Hukanjuri), a vital route connecting Assam's Dibrugarh district with Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap district.
The most severely affected area is near the Kathalguri Beat Office under the Joypur Forest Range, where a significant portion of the hillside road has collapsed into a gorge, jeopardizing the roadway.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported that a new landslide occurred at the Kothalguri U-turn on Tuesday, exacerbating the situation. This stretch passes through the ecologically sensitive Dihing Patkai National Park and had undergone widening just last year.
Authorities have deployed geo-bags in vulnerable areas, restricted heavy vehicle movement, and imposed a night traffic ban on the Joypur-Kathalguri stretch from 6 pm to 6 am. Safety barricades have also been erected as a precautionary measure.
Any prolonged disruption of this highway could significantly impact residents of Tirap district, who rely on Assam for healthcare, education, trade, and essential supplies.