Rajya Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh, Tai Tagak has described the ongoing floods and landslides across the state as a disaster more devastating than the aftermath of the 1950 earthquake in terms of its impact on lives, livelihoods, agriculture and infrastructure, and urged the Centre to announce a Special Central Flood Relief Package.
Addressing the media, Tagak said preliminary estimates indicate that over 85,000 hectares of agricultural land have been damaged, while more than one lakh families across all 28 districts have been affected by floods, landslides, cloudbursts and incessant rainfall.
The disaster has also caused extensive losses to livestock, fisheries, public infrastructure and communication networks, besides claiming human lives.
Calling Arunachal Pradesh a strategically important frontier state, the MP said the scale of devastation was beyond the state’s financial capacity.
“This is an unimaginable disaster. The State Government alone cannot bear the enormous burden of rebuilding damaged infrastructure and restoring normalcy. Relief, restoration and reconstruction must now become the highest priority,” he said.
Tagak noted that continuous rainfall and overflowing rivers have led to fresh destruction almost every day, with roads, bridges and culverts being washed away or blocked by landslides, leaving several villages inaccessible and hampering rescue and relief operations.
He pointed out that areas such as Nilling circle in Upper Subansiri district and Parsi Parlo in Kurung Kumey district remain cut off due to damaged road connectivity and communication disruptions.
He called for immediate restoration of strategic roads and the construction of temporary bridges to reconnect remote habitations and border areas.
Expressing concern over public health, the MP warned that prolonged waterlogging and cloudburst-induced flooding could trigger outbreaks of waterborne diseases and urged the Health Department to keep medical teams on high alert.
Tagak appreciated the efforts of district administrations, SDRF personnel and other officials engaged in rescue and relief operations despite adverse weather, particularly in Lower Dibang Valley, Keyi Panyor and East Siang districts. He also noted that the Inter-Ministerial Central Team has begun assessing the damage, although many remote areas remain difficult to access.
The MP said he had personally undertaken road surveys across several affected districts to assess the ground situation. He added that the Ministry of Defence and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are also assessing damage to strategic roads, bridges and culverts in districts including Anjaw, Tawang and Lower Siang.
While stating that the full extent of the losses is still being assessed, Tagak said the available estimates reflected the unprecedented magnitude of the disaster. He also observed that reservoirs in certain areas had helped regulate floodwaters and reduce further damage.
Appealing for nationwide support, the MP urged citizens, civil society organisations and charitable institutions to extend assistance to the flood-affected people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Tagak also informed that he has contributed Rs 19 lakh from his personal resources towards relief efforts in Keyi Panyor and Lower Siang districts.
Reiterating his commitment to the affected people, the MP said he would continue visiting flood-hit areas, coordinating with authorities and pursuing all possible measures to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation across the state.
‘State Cannot Bear the Burden Alone’: Rajya Sabha MP Seeks Urgent Central Aid for Flood-Hit Arunachal
