A flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall and a reported cloudburst has caused extensive damage in Chayang Tajo and several adjoining villages in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Kameng district, disrupting water supply, power services and road connectivity. According to local sources, Chayang Tajo, the administrative headquarters of the area, witnessed incessant rainfall on June 4, leading to a sudden surge in water levels and widespread flooding. The situation was reportedly worsened by a cloudburst over Chayang Tajo and nearby villages, resulting in significant damage to public infrastructure and agricultural land. The flood damaged several paddy fields and standing crops, causing losses to local farmers. Residents also faced severe disruptions in access to drinking water after a major pipeline supplying water to Chayang Tajo was washed away.
Officials said the 150-mm diameter main pipeline connected to the local water treatment plant was completely damaged by the floodwaters. Restoration work has already begun, but authorities said repairs could take at least two weeks due to the difficult terrain and high-altitude conditions in the area. The disaster also affected rural water supply systems in several villages, including Soshi Bagang, Namchar Bagang, Doripu Bagang, Laching Bagang, Rebe and Killo. Officials reported that headworks, intake tanks and live water supply pipelines in these villages were either severely damaged or completely destroyed. As a result, many villagers have been forced to depend on rainwater collected from rooftops and nearby streams for their daily needs. The Chayang Tajo Public Health Engineering and Water Supply (PHE&WS) Division has mobilised staff from non-affected areas to speed up restoration work and restore water supply to the affected villages as quickly as possible.
Road connectivity in the region has also been severely impacted. Nearly 40 per cent of the PMGSY road connecting Domdila Tajo to Laching Bagang through Soshi, Namchar and Doripu Bagang was either damaged or washed away by the flood. The RCC bridge over Pao Nallah, which serves as a vital link for several villages in the area, was also swept away. In several stretches of the road, formation cuttings were washed out, making movement difficult for commuters and local residents. The damaged road is considered a lifeline for at least five villages, and its disruption has created major challenges for transportation and access to essential services.
