Severe Flash Floods in Arunachal Pradesh: One Dead, Four Missing
Tragic Impact of Flash Floods in Arunachal Pradesh
The NEEPCO housing colony devastated by flash floods
Guwahati, June 25: A severe flash flood, caused by relentless rainfall, has resulted in one fatality, left four individuals unaccounted for, and injured 17 others, three of whom are in critical condition, in the Yachuli region of Arunachal Pradesh's Keyi Panyor district. This disaster has triggered extensive rescue efforts involving the Indian Air Force (IAF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local authorities.
The flood struck the Poosa area adjacent to the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) project in Yazali Circle after heavy overnight rains led to the collapse of an under-construction retaining wall, unleashing torrents of water and debris into the nearby residential quarters of the NEEPCO colony.
One individual has been confirmed dead, while search operations are ongoing for the four missing persons. Rescue teams are facing significant challenges due to continuous rainfall, landslides, and damaged road access.
A total of 17 individuals have sustained injuries, with three critically hurt. The critically injured were transported to Gyati Takka District Hospital in Ziro for advanced medical care. However, rescue personnel had to manually carry the victims across a road blockade at Pitapool before ambulances could take them to the hospital.
As the extent of the disaster became clear, the Arunachal Pradesh government activated emergency air support and coordinated rescue and relief efforts with the IAF.
The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) reported that the Department of Civil Aviation was put on alert immediately after the flash flood was reported.
In collaboration with the IAF, emergency air support was mobilized to ensure the swift deployment of SDRF personnel, rescue teams, equipment, and relief supplies to the affected areas, where road access remains severely compromised.
Senior district officials, including the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and the Circle Officer, arrived at the scene to oversee the rescue and relief operations. SDRF teams were deployed without delay, and additional personnel, vehicles, and local ex-servicemen were mobilized to enhance search efforts.
As a precaution, NEEPCO temporarily halted operations at its powerhouse and initiated a controlled release of water from the dam due to the sudden increase in inflows. Officials are continuously monitoring the situation to mitigate further risks.
The heavy rainfall has also caused flash floods and landslides in various parts of Papum Pare district, disrupting road connectivity and damaging public infrastructure.
The road connecting Mepsoro and Hoj Highway Junction is blocked due to multiple landslides, and the Hoj-Sagalee Highway near the Hoj Power House is also impassable. Road clearance operations are in progress, but authorities have indicated that it is too soon to predict when normal traffic will resume.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Guwahati and the Meteorological Centre in Itanagar, Yazali recorded approximately 72.8 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to June 24, with the heaviest rainfall occurring between 6 am and 9 am.
Satellite and radar data indicated intense rainfall from 6 am to 7:30 am, which triggered flash floods and debris flow in the upper catchment areas.
The sudden influx of water also impacted the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project (formerly known as Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project), prompting authorities to open one spillway gate to safely release excess water.
Officials have stated that rescue operations will persist until all missing individuals are located, while assessment teams are evaluating the damage to residential areas, public infrastructure, and hydropower facilities.
The state government has advised residents in vulnerable regions to remain alert as intermittent rainfall is anticipated, heightening the risk of additional flash floods and landslides.