Arunachal floods: Death toll rises to three as heavy rains batter 12 districts

Relentless monsoon rains and flash floods have affected thousands across 12 districts of Arunachal Pradesh, with the death toll rising to three. Rescue and relief operations continue as authorities battle landslides, damaged infrastructure and widespread disruption to connectivity

Itanagar: Thousands of people across 12 of Arunachal Pradesh’s 28 districts have been affected to varying degrees as floods triggered by incessant monsoon rains continued to wreak havoc across the state on Monday, officials said.

A disaster management official said that the death toll from the rain-triggered flash floods since June 23 in the worst-affected Keyi Panyor district has risen to three after rescuers recovered the body of a 48-year-old man on Sunday.

The third victim was identified as Saurabh Kumar Kharwar (48). His body was recovered near Hawa Camp in the adjoining Papum Pare district.

Earlier, the bodies of a 35-year-old woman and another woman were recovered on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively. Two other people, including a minor, are still missing. Around 20 houses and residential structures were damaged after flash floods, triggered by continuous rainfall since June 23, battered the Yazali circle of Keyi Panyor district.

Rescue operations are underway in the 12 affected districts, where floods and landslides have damaged roads, bridges and houses, claimed lives and disrupted surface connectivity. The exact number of casualties caused by the rains and floods has not yet been officially confirmed as the authorities continue to collect and verify details from the affected districts.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday virtually reviewed the flood situation across the state. Chief Secretary Manish Gupta, Director General of Police Dr S.D. Singh Jamwal and senior officials accompanied the Chief Minister during the review meeting.

In a post on social media, Khandu said: “Held a virtual review meeting on the Keyi Panyor flash flood with the Deputy Commissioners of Kurung Kumey, Kra Daadi, Lower Subansiri, Keyi Panyor and Kamle in the presence of the Chief Secretary, DGP and officials from the concerned departments.” “We reviewed the ongoing relief, rescue, road restoration, medical response and the availability of essential supplies, while discussing measures to ensure timely assistance and the early restoration of normalcy. The Government remains committed to extending all possible support to the affected communities,” the Chief Minister said.

In another Facebook post, Khandu, quoting the India Meteorological Department (IMD), said that Arunachal Pradesh is likely to experience widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning till July 1, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in several districts.
“There is a possibility of landslides, flash floods, waterlogging, uprooting of trees, and disruption to road traffic, power and communication services, particularly in vulnerable areas,” he said. The Chief Minister urged people to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel to landslide- and flood-prone areas, follow advisories issued by the local administration and keep track of official weather updates.

Meanwhile, demonstrating its commitment to nation-building and humanitarian assistance, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) restored the crucial Kimin-Potin road within just 36 hours after torrential monsoon rains, flash floods and landslides caused widespread devastation in Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor and Papum Pare districts.

Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that incessant rainfall had triggered multiple landslides and major formation breaches along the 45-km road stretch, washing away sections of the roadway and burying several portions under mud, boulders and uprooted trees.

The disruption completely halted vehicular movement and snapped connectivity to key locations, including Potin, Yazali, Yachuli, Joram and Ziro, he added.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter was deployed on June 25 to airlift relief materials, including a rescue boat, and transport National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel to the flood-hit Keyi Panyor district. The districts badly affected by the floods include Keyi Panyor, Papum Pare, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Lower Subansiri, Kamle, Upper Subansiri, East Siang, Leparada and Lower Siang.