Monsoon disaster in Arunachal: 3 missing as floods swamp homes and roads

Itanagar: Heavy rainfall continued to batter Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday, triggering flash floods and landslides that damaged homes, disrupted transport links and left three people missing in Keyi Panyor district.

Flash floods leave three missing

At least three people were reported missing after flash floods struck the Neepco project colony near Poosa under the Yazali circle in Keyi Panyor district. The flooding followed the collapse of an under-construction retaining wall amid incessant rainfall, sending large volumes of water into nearby residential areas.

State Disaster Management Secretary Dani Sulu said low-lying localities around the colony were inundated, causing extensive damage and forcing emergency authorities to launch rescue operations.

The flash floods damaged at least 18 residential units in and around the affected colony. Rescue teams rushed to the site after district authorities directed senior officials, including the additional deputy commissioner, deputy superintendent of police and circle officer, to coordinate emergency response efforts.

Authorities are continuing search operations to locate the missing persons and assess the full extent of the damage.

SDRF deployed, NDRF alerted

A team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been deployed to the affected area, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been placed on alert and is moving towards the district to support rescue and relief work.

The administration has mobilised all available reserve personnel and vehicles within the Yazali jurisdiction. Ex-servicemen have also been called in to assist emergency responders.

Landslides disrupt highway connectivity

Heavy rainfall also triggered landslides at multiple locations, severely affecting road connectivity in the district. Three stretches of the highway near Potin and Hoj were blocked after debris and mudslides covered the roadway.

Several travellers were stranded due to the disruptions, prompting authorities to deploy machinery and restoration teams to clear the affected stretches.

Officials have instructed highway contractors to begin immediate debris removal and restore vehicular movement as quickly as possible.

As a precautionary measure, the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (Neepco) began releasing water from the Ranganadi dam amid rising water levels. Power generation at the project has been temporarily suspended to ensure safety during the ongoing weather emergency.

Authorities are closely monitoring river levels and downstream areas as rainfall continues across the state.

State remains on alert

Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed several days of continuous rain, resulting in flash floods, landslips and infrastructure damage across multiple districts.

Disaster management authorities have urged residents living near rivers, streams and vulnerable slopes to remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel until weather conditions improve.

Search operations for the missing individuals were ongoing at the time of reporting. Officials said the complete scale of losses and damage is yet to be determined as teams continue assessments in the affected regions.