Fresh floods and landslides triggered by incessant rainfall have caused widespread damage to houses, roads, agricultural land and public infrastructure across several districts of Arunachal Pradesh, even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a gradual decline in rainfall from July 10.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), fresh incidents were reported during the past 24 hours from Keyi Panyor, Upper Siang, Tirap, Changlang, Papum Pare and Upper Subansiri districts.
The IMD has issued an Orange Alert for Shi Yomi, Siang, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit and Longding districts, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. From Friday, the weather is expected to improve gradually, with Orange Alerts remaining only for Papum Pare, Lower Dibang Valley and Tirap districts. Most parts of the state are likely to be free from weather warnings by Saturday, although eastern and foothill districts will remain under Yellow Alert until Monday.
The latest spell of rain affected several villages, including Yingkiong in Upper Siang, Khonsa and Kheti in Tirap, numerous villages in Changlang, Papum Pare and Upper Subansiri districts, causing fresh damage to homes, roads and agricultural fields.
Over the past two weeks, Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed extensive destruction due to floods and landslides. Six people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents. On Wednesday, two labourers from Bihar were killed after a landslide hit a construction site in Lohit district. Two women who were swept away by flash floods in Keyi Panyor on June 24 remain missing despite ongoing search operations. Earlier, three people died in flash floods at Possa in Keyi Panyor, while another person was killed in a landslide at Sarti village in Anjaw district.
According to the SEOC, 94,201 people across 333 villages in 237 circles covering 26 districts have been affected by floods and landslides across the state.
The disaster has severely impacted agriculture, with 334.2 hectares of crop area damaged, including 185.5 hectares of horticulture land and 148.7 hectares of agricultural fields. Nearly 1,010 hectares of forest area have also been affected.
Public infrastructure has suffered extensive damage, including 131 roads, 19 bridges, 21 culverts, 191 water supply systems, 58 government buildings, 21 power lines, 224 electric poles, four hydel projects, seven retaining walls, seven flood protection walls, two hospitals and three schools. Hundreds of houses have also been damaged.
Relief and restoration work is continuing across the affected areas. Two relief camps remain operational in Keyi Panyor district, where 252 displaced people are currently taking shelter.
