Flash floods wreak havoc in Arunachal
Flash floods tore through Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor district after days of relentless rain, leaving a trail of destruction. Homes were damaged, while roads and bridges were washed away. At least one person is reported dead and four others are missing. As floodwaters engulfed the Poosa area, the state government, in coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF), launched rescue and relief operations, facilitating the rapid deployment of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and equipment to affected locations.Acting on a request from the deputy commissioner of Keyi Panyor, the department of civil aviation coordinated with the eastern air command (EAC), Shillong, seeking air support for evacuation efforts and the movement of rescue personnel and relief material. Officials said at least three people were reported missing after flash floods swept through the NEEPCO project colony near Poosa under the Yazali circle. Around 20 houses and residential units were damaged, while floodwaters inundated several low-lying areas following nearly 48 hours of continuous rainfall.Several videos circulating on social media showed raging floodwaters sweeping away houses and trees, while damaging roads and bridges across affected areas. Officials said several people are feared missing as rescue teams continue search and relief operations.An SDRF team has already been deployed to the affected area, while personnel from the national disaster response force (NDRF) are on their way to assist in ongoing rescue and relief operations.Union Minister and Arunachal Pradesh MP Kiren Rijiju shared a video of the devastation on social media and said: “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives & the devastation caused by the floods & landslides in Keyi Panyor District in Arunachal Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured.”The impact of the heavy rainfall has extended beyond Keyi Panyor district. A senior official in Itanagar said continuous rain triggered landslides at multiple locations along a national highway, disrupting vehicular movement and leaving several commuters stranded.The government-owned north eastern electric power corporation (NEEPCO) has begun releasing water from the Ranganadi Dam as a precautionary measure. Power generation at the project has been temporarily suspended, officials said.Meanwhile, the Assam government has issued a high alert and is closely monitoring the situation amid concerns that floodwaters and heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh could affect downstream districts in the state.According to information received from the regional meteorological centre (RMC), Guwahati, and the meteorological centre, Itanagar, Yazali recorded 72.8 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours, with a significant portion falling between 6 am and 9 am on June 24.
