Itanagar: Torrential rain on Wednesday triggered flash floods and landslides in Keyi Panyor district of Arunachal Pradesh, inundating low-lying areas, damaging homes and disrupting highway traffic, officials said.
Five people were reported missing after floodwaters swept through the NEEPCO project colony near Poosa under the Yazali circle, state disaster management secretary Dani Sulu said. The missing are identified as Elesh Marak (13), Balari Marak (30), Tao Anjina (46), Nirmala Gupta (35) and Sourav Kumar. Search-and-rescue operations are underway, as reported by The Sentinel.
District police and SDRF teams rescued one person, Bishu Sinha, from the Yazali reservoir, and personnel pulled a Geological Survey of India scientist from a damaged stretch of national highway, police said. Sulu said 17 people were injured, three critically. The critically hurt were evacuated to Ziro in Lower Subansiri district.
Homes & Infrastructure Hit
Sulu said heavy downpours caused the collapse of an under-construction retaining wall and inundated low-lying residential pockets around the colony. “At least 18 residential units were d
amaged, and three persons were reportedly missing,” he said.
Authorities ordered the additional deputy commissioner, the deputy superintendent of police and the circle officer to proceed to the affected area to lead assessment and rescue work. “A team of SDRF has been deployed, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been alerted and is moving towards the area to assist in relief and rescue efforts,” Sulu added. Reserve personnel, vehicles and ex-servicemen have also been mobilised within the Yazali jurisdiction.
Dam Release, Power Generation Halted
NEEPCO began precautionary water releases from the Panyor Lower hydro project dam and temporarily halted power generation at the site, Sulu said, as authorities sought to lower reservoir levels and reduce downstream flooding risk.
Roads Severed, Districts Cut Off
Heavy rainfall caused landslides blocking multiple highway stretches near Potin and Hoj, stranding travellers, the secretary said. Keyi Panyor superintendent of police Angad Mehta told reporters six districts — Keyi Panyor, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Lower Subansiri, Kamle and Upper Subansiri — faced connectivity losses due to monsoon-related disruptions.
Mehta reported major slides on the Kimin‑Ziro route at km 15, 21 and 23, with assessment ongoing between km 30 and 40. The Border Roads Organisation has stepped up clearance work and expects the Kimin route to reopen by Thursday afternoon. Landslides were also reported on the Itanagar‑Hoj‑Yazali highway; officials warned travellers from East Kameng, Pakke Kessang, West Kameng and Tawang to avoid the route.
Authorities urged residents in vulnerable and riverside areas to stay alert and avoid unnecessary travel as restoration and relief operations continue.