Tragic Flash Floods in Arunachal Pradesh: One Dead, Several Missing Amidst Heavy Rains

Severe Flooding Strikes Keyi Panyor District

Itanagar: Continuous rainfall has led to devastating flash floods in the Keyi Panyor district of Arunachal Pradesh, resulting in one fatality and four individuals reported missing. Seventeen others sustained injuries, and at least 18 homes were damaged. Landslides have also obstructed road access, leaving many travelers stranded, according to officials.

The deceased has been identified as Nirmala Gupta, a 35-year-old teacher at Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV) located on the NEEPCO campus in Yazali. Her body was recovered during the ongoing search and rescue efforts, as confirmed by Superintendent of Police Angad Mehta.

Search operations were halted for the day but are set to resume early Thursday morning, Mehta stated. Gupta was among five individuals who went missing from the NEEPCO project colony near Poosa in the Yazali area. The other missing persons include Elesh Marak (13), Balari Marak (30), Tao Anjina (46), and Sourav Kumar, as reported by Dani Sulu, the State Disaster Management secretary.

Among the injured, three individuals are in critical condition and have been transported to Ziro in the Lower Subansiri district for medical attention, Sulu added.

The heavy rains caused an under-construction retaining wall to collapse, leading to significant waterlogging in low-lying areas surrounding the colony, resulting in damage to at least 18 residential units.

Rescue efforts by district police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) successfully saved one Bishu Sinha from the Yazali reservoir, while a Geological Survey of India (GSI) scientist was rescued from a section of National Highway 13 affected by the floods.

The local administration has instructed the additional deputy commissioner, deputy superintendent of police, and the relevant circle officer to assess the situation and coordinate rescue operations.

A team from the SDRF has been deployed, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been alerted and is en route to assist with relief efforts, Sulu noted.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter has dropped SDRF personnel and a rubber boat near Pitapool, mobilizing all available reserve personnel and vehicles in the Yazali area, with ex-servicemen also called in to aid emergency operations.

The state Civil Aviation Department requested the IAF to conduct rescue operations and airlift SDRF personnel and supplies from Itanagar to Keyi Panyor, Sulu reported.

Despite challenging weather conditions, the IAF air support team reached Hollongi and proceeded to Pitapool to deliver SDRF teams and materials. Additional air support missions are planned for future needs.

As a precaution, the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) has started releasing water from the Panyor Lower Hydropower Project reservoir, temporarily halting power generation at the site.

Heavy rainfall has also caused road disruptions in the district, with three sections of NH-13 near Potin and Hoj blocked by landslides, leaving numerous individuals stranded.

Six districts—Keyi Panyor, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Lower Subansiri, Kamle, and Upper Subansiri—are currently isolated due to monsoon-related disruptions caused by the intense rainfall, according to SP Angad Mehta.

Significant landslides have occurred along the Kimin-Ziro route, and damage assessments are ongoing.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has ramped up restoration efforts, with connectivity through the Kimin route expected to be restored by Thursday afternoon, Mehta added.

Landslides have also been reported on the Itanagar-Hoj-Yazali stretch of NH-13.

The road linking Mepsoro and the Hoj Highway Junction has been entirely cut off due to extensive landslides at multiple locations, disrupting vehicular traffic.

Restoration work is being conducted urgently, although officials have indicated it is too soon to determine when the road will reopen.

Travelers from East Kameng, Pakke Kessang, West Kameng, and Tawang districts have been advised to avoid the route until further notice.

Arunachal Pradesh has been experiencing heavy rainfall for several days, leading to landslides, flash floods, and infrastructure damage across various districts.

Disaster management authorities are urging residents in vulnerable areas and along riverbanks to stay vigilant and refrain from unnecessary travel.