Heavy rains wreak havoc across Arunachal Pradesh: three fatalities in flash floods

Relentless rainfall continued to batter Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday, triggering landslides, flash floods, and a bridge collapse across several districts. The death toll from the flash floods in Keyi Panyor district has risen to three, while rescue teams remain on the ground searching for two people still missing.

A major landslide in Lower Siang district blocked the Siji River, raising fears of flooding in downstream areas. Authorities have advised residents to stay away from riverbanks as water continues to accumulate. In East Siang district, heavy rain caused a bridge to collapse in Ledum village, where flash floods also damaged homes and public infrastructure.

The latest victim, Saurabh Kumar Kharwar, was found nearly 35 km from the flood-hit area in neighbouring Papum Pare district. Rescue operations have now entered their fifth day, with teams using rafts and ground searches to locate the remaining missing persons. Additional personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed, while relief supplies from the Indian Red Cross are being prepared for airlift, subject to favourable weather.

The floods have severely affected the NEEPCO Colony in Poosa, destroying around 30 houses and damaging many others. Overall, 128 households have been impacted, with dozens of displaced residents currently staying in relief camps. NEEPCO officials are yet to complete an assessment of damage to hydropower infrastructure.

Floods and landslides have also disrupted life in several other districts, including Leparada, where rising river levels continue to threaten key bridges. So far, nine districts have reported damage caused by the ongoing spell of heavy rain.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that parts of Arunachal Pradesh could receive over 200 mm of rainfall by Monday morning. Heavy to extremely heavy rain, along with thunderstorms and lightning, is expected to continue over the next two days, increasing the risk of flash floods, landslides, waterlogging, and road disruptions. Authorities have urged residents, especially those in vulnerable areas, to