The death toll from landslides and floods in Arunachal Pradesh has reached ten, following another fatality reported in Lohit district as relentless monsoon rains continue to impact the region. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) has confirmed that 938 individuals across 156 villages in 23 districts have been affected by the ongoing deluge.
The body of Guptajit Bharali, who was swept away by the flooded Sukha Nallah in Upper Digaru, was found downstream at Lasa Pani on Sunday. In response to the crisis, Governor Lt General K T Parnaik (Retd) has expressed profound sorrow for the lives lost and has extended his condolences to the grieving families. He has urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly in areas prone to landslides.
Governor Parnaik called for district administrations to stay alert, emphasizing the necessity of imposing restrictions on nighttime movements in high-risk areas and advocating for proactive communication to keep citizens informed and safe. Major rivers and their tributaries are flowing above danger levels, leading to flood-like conditions and landslides across several districts. Areas impacted include West Kameng, Kamle, Lower and Upper Subansiri, Papum Pare, Dibang Valley, Lohit, Changlang, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, and Longding.
In East Kameng district, a catastrophic landslide occurred late Friday night on the BanaâSeppa stretch of National Highway 13, sweeping away a vehicle that was carrying two families and resulting in the deaths of all seven occupants. In another incident, two laborers were trapped under debris while working on a cabbage farm near Pine Grove in Lower Subansiri district, though two others managed to escape.
Additionally, two individuals-one from Assamâs Dispur at Parshuram Kund in Lohit district and another in Anjaw district-have been reported missing in separate incidents, prompting ongoing search operations. A man in Pamluk village, Kamle district, has suffered injuries from a landslide and is currently receiving medical treatment.
In Changlang district, flash floods from the Buri-Dihing River destroyed 50 percent of the Makantong bridge on the Trans Arunachal Highway on Saturday, disrupting crucial road connectivity between Miao and Bordumsa. Several areas in the Miao subdivision have faced flooding, leading to significant losses in livestock and horticulture. Tourist resorts like Zupra and River Cafe along the Noa-Dehing River have also been inundated, while the Industrial Training Institute at Balinong has suffered extensive damage as floodwaters destroyed hostels and other key facilities.
The Noa-Dehing River has eroded large portions of agricultural land in the Dharmapur block under the Namphai circle, with areas like Mâpen and Deban now submerged. Meanwhile, in Upper Subansiri district, multiple breaches in the Hangkar pipeline have severely disrupted water supply due to heavy rainfall, prompting the Public Health Engineering Department teams to work on restoring service while tankers are deployed for interim relief.
Deputy Commissioner Tasso Gambo, alongside PHED Executive Engineer Tago Dulom and other officials, assessed the damage on Sunday, leading to immediate repair orders and expedited water tanker distribution to affected areas. In Namsai district, a relief camp has been established at Alubari Government Secondary School, currently housing 59 displaced individuals.
