Three missing as Arunachal reels under flash flood fury, Assam on high alert as river levels rise

Heavy rainfall over the past 48 hours triggered flash floods in Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor district on Wednesday, leaving at least three people missing and damaging around 20 houses and residential units, officials said. The situation has also prompted Assam to move into a high-alert mode amid fears of rising river levels and downstream flood impacts.

According to officials, the flash floods swept through the NEEPCO project colony near Poosa under Yazali circle after continuous rain caused a retaining wall to collapse, inundating low-lying residential areas.

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Three people were reported missing after being caught in the flash floods. A senior official in Itanagar said heavy rainfall also triggered landslides at multiple locations along a national highway, disrupting traffic movement and leaving several commuters stranded.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Superintendent of Police, and Circle Officer reached the affected areas to assess the situation and coordinate rescue operations.

A State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team has been deployed, while National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel are also moving towards the affected areas for relief and rescue efforts.

Ranganadi dam water release sparks Assam alert

The government-owned North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) has started releasing water from the Ranganadi Dam as a precautionary step. Power generation at the project has been temporarily suspended.

The Assam government is closely monitoring the situation following reports of heavy rainfall and flash floods in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Subansiri district, with authorities warning of possible downstream effects.

Data from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Guwahati, and the Meteorological Centre, Itanagar, showed that Yazali received 72.8 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours, with intense rainfall recorded between 6 am and 9 am on June 24.

Brahmaputra tributaries under watch

Officials said satellite and radar imagery indicated torrential rainfall on Wednesday morning, leading to flash floods and a sharp rise in river discharge in upper catchment areas.

Flash floods were reported in the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project area, earlier known as the Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project. Due to a sudden increase in inflows, authorities opened one spillway gate to release excess water.

The Assam government said rising river discharge could significantly increase water levels and flow velocity in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries.

The flood wave is expected to impact Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath and Sonitpur districts first before moving further downstream and eventually reaching Dhubri over the next one to two days.

Assam orders maximum preparedness

On the directions of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota has instructed authorities to remain on maximum alert and ensure preparedness.

District administrations and line departments in vulnerable areas have been asked to maintain close surveillance and take preventive measures.

Teams of the SDRF, NDRF and other emergency agencies are being kept ready for deployment, while officials continue monitoring river conditions and flood-prone locations.

Residents in low-lying and vulnerable areas have been advised to remain alert and move to safer locations if instructed by authorities. People have also been urged to avoid entering flooded areas and refrain from travelling in country boats and small vessels on the Brahmaputra and its tributaries due to stronger currents.

The Assam government said coordination with agencies and district administrations is continuing, with further advisories to be issued based on the evolving situation.