Itanagar, June 24: A devastating flash flood triggered by torrential rainfall ripped through a NEEPCO project colony in Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor district on Wednesday, leaving at least five people missing, injuring 17 others and washing away entire rows of homes in one of the state’s worst rain-related disasters this season.
The flash flood struck the 43 KM NEEPCO Colony near the 405 MW Panyor Hydroelectric Project after heavy rainfall caused the Possa River to swell dramatically, sending a torrent of water, mud and debris crashing through the settlement. Preliminary reports indicate that at least 18 houses and structures were swept away in the deluge.
Among the injured are three critically wounded persons who had to be manually carried across landslide-hit stretches after road access was cut off before being transported to Ziro for treatment.
Rescue operations have been severely hampered by multiple landslides that have virtually isolated the affected area. Roads connecting the district to both Itanagar and Ziro remain blocked, forcing rescue personnel to trek on foot through difficult terrain to reach survivors. Efforts to deploy helicopters have also been affected by adverse weather conditions.
Officials said nearly 73 mm of rainfall was recorded in the area within 24 hours, with the most intense downpour occurring over a span of just a few hours on Wednesday morning. The resulting landslides buried sections of roads under mud and boulders, disrupting connectivity and delaying relief efforts.
The district administration, SDRF, NDRF, police personnel, NEEPCO officials and medical teams have been mobilised for search and rescue operations. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed deep anguish over the tragedy and assured that every possible assistance is being extended to affected families.
The disaster has also triggered concern downstream in Assam. Authorities have issued an alert warning that rising water levels and increased discharge from upstream areas could impact districts including Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath and Sonitpur over the next few days.
With more rain forecast across the region, authorities have urged residents in vulnerable and low-lying areas to remain alert as rescue teams continue the search for the missing.
