Fresh spells of heavy rainfall have triggered floods and landslides across several districts of Arunachal Pradesh, affecting thousands of people and causing extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).
The latest SEOC report said more than 94,200 people across 333 villages in 237 circles covering 26 districts have been affected during the ongoing monsoon season. Upper Siang remained the worst-hit district, followed by Siang and Kra Daadi.
During the past 24 hours, Changlang reported heavy rain, flooding and a landslide, while Upper Subansiri recorded two flood incidents and three landslides. Upper Siang witnessed 16 landslides, and a rain-triggered rockfall was reported from East Kameng.
The monsoon has claimed four lives in the state so far. One person died in a landslide at Sarti village in Anjaw district on June 28, while three others lost their lives in a flash flood at Possa in Keyi Panyor district. Twenty-one people have been injured and two women remain missing.
Rescue and relief operations are continuing in the affected districts with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Army, the Air Force and other state agencies deployed.
The floods and landslides have damaged around 334.2 hectares of crop area, including 185.5 hectares under horticulture and 148.7 hectares under agriculture. Nearly 1,010 hectares of forest area have also been affected.
The SEOC reported widespread damage to public infrastructure, including 131 roads, 19 bridges, 21 culverts, 191 water supply systems, 58 government buildings, 21 power lines, 224 electric poles, four hydel projects, seven flood protection walls, two hospitals and three schools. Hundreds of houses have also been damaged across the state.
Two relief camps remain operational in Keyi Panyor district, where 252 displaced people are taking shelter.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall over Arunachal Pradesh. Heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is expected in Lohit, Changlang and Tirap districts on July 8, with similar conditions likely in Lower Dibang Valley, Namsai and Tirap on July 9.
Heavy rainfall alerts have also been issued for Upper Subansiri, Lower Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Namsai, Tirap and Longding on Friday. Although weather conditions are expected to improve gradually from Saturday, isolated heavy rainfall is likely to continue over eastern parts of the state.
