Floods and Landslides Devastate Arunachal Pradesh: 9 Dead, Dozens Trapped, Red Alert Issued

KKN Gurugram Desk | Relentless rainfall over the past several days has triggered a wave of flash floods and deadly landslides across multiple districts in Arunachal Pradesh, claiming at least nine lives and isolating several villages, according to official sources.

The state is facing its worst bout of monsoon-related devastation in years, with key infrastructure damaged, roads blocked, and dozens stranded in remote regions. Emergency teams continue to battle extreme conditions to carry out rescue operations.

Deadly Landslide on NH-13 Claims Seven Lives in East Kameng

In the most fatal incident reported so far, a vehicle carrying two families was swept off a cliff on the Bana-Seppa section of National Highway 13 in East Kameng district late Friday night.

 Key Details:

• Location: Bana to Seppa highway (NH-13)

• Victims: 7 members of two families from Kichang village

• Cause: Landslide due to intense rainfall

• Rescue status: All seven bodies recovered by Saturday afternoon

East Kameng SP Kamdam Sikom confirmed that the vehicle was en route to Seppa when it was caught in a sudden landslide, plunging deep into a ravine. The challenging visibility at night, combined with continuous mudslides and debris flow, severely hampered rescue efforts.

Despite difficult terrain and inclement weather, local villagers and police resumed the search on Saturday morning. After hours of digging through mud and debris, the vehicle was located nearly 150 meters below the highway. All seven occupants were found dead inside.

Two More Die in Lower Subansiri District: Farmland Tragedy

In a separate incident in Lower Subansiri district, two agricultural laborers were killed late Thursday night in a landslide that struck a cabbage farm near the Pine Grove area along the Ziro-Kamle road.

 Incident Summary:

• Location: Pine Grove region, Ziro-Kamle Road

• Fatalities: 2 dead, 2 rescued

• Cause: Slope failure triggered by waterlogging

DSP Ojing Lego of Lower Subansiri reported that the landslide hit the farm suddenly during heavy downpour, burying workers who were in the field at the time. The survivors were rescued with injuries, while efforts were made to clear the area to prevent further casualties.

Sudden Flooding in Upper Subansiri: 117 Homes Damaged

The Sigine River, swollen due to continuous rain, overflowed near Daporijo, the district headquarters of Upper Subansiri, causing extensive flooding in low-lying residential areas.

 Damage Assessment (Upper Subansiri):

• Flood-affected homes: 117+

• Public infrastructure: Roads, bridges, and electric poles damaged

• Action taken: Assessment underway, evacuation orders issued

Deputy Commissioner Taso Gambo, along with Additional Deputy Commissioner Biyaro Sorum, conducted ground inspections in affected zones. The administration has urged all residents in flood-prone zones to relocate to safer locations immediately.

Connectivity Severed in West Kameng and Bichom

Meanwhile, in West Kameng district, continuous rainfall and landslides have completely cut off road connectivity between the villages of Nafra-Nakhu-Nachibom and adjacent areas in Bichom district.

Authorities reported that multiple residents are stranded in forests and grazing lands, particularly near Jamiri’s 35 grazing zone, where landslides have blocked access routes.

Other heavily affected areas in West Kameng include:

• Jyoti Nagar

• Dirang

• Padma

• Durga Mandir localities

Efforts are underway to clear blocked roads, but officials warn that continued rain may delay restoration.

River Threat Level Rises: Miong River Under Surveillance

The Miong River, which flows through several areas in West Kameng, is currently rising steadily due to runoff from surrounding hills. Although the water level remains below the danger mark, the situation is being closely monitored by the district disaster control room.

Authorities are warning that any further rainfall could trigger a flood emergency across the region.

IMD Issues Red Alert for Five Districts

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued a Red Alert for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the following five districts:

1. Lower Subansiri

2. West Kameng

3. West Siang

4. Lohit

5. Changlang

According to IMD officials, a low-pressure system (depression) over Bangladesh is causing intense monsoonal activity over Northeast India. The depression is expected to linger for the next 48–72 hours, worsening the flood situation in vulnerable areas.

 Administrative Response and Emergency Guidelines

 Government Actions:

• Evacuation orders issued in flood-affected villages

• Prohibition zones declared in landslide-prone areas

• Rescue teams deployed across four worst-hit districts

• Emergency control rooms activated at district HQs

Deputy commissioners in the affected areas have advised residents to:

• Avoid travel to hill regions

• Stay away from rivers and landslide zones

• Report any blocked routes or stranded persons to the nearest police station or disaster helpline

Emergency Helpline Numbers (Arunachal Pradesh)

Note: Actual numbers may vary and are shared by local administration.

Eyewitness Account: “The Hill Just Collapsed on Us”

Locals in the Daporijo and Dirang areas described terrifying scenes of hill slopes giving way and flash floods inundating roads.

“We heard a loud crack around midnight. Within minutes, the whole slope came crashing down,” said a survivor rescued near the Ziro-Kamle road.

Another farmer from Kichang village stated,

“We are cut off. There is no road, no electricity, and no signal. We’re using torches and radios to stay informed.”

 Climate Experts Raise Alarm Over Rainfall Intensity

Meteorologists and disaster experts warn that the current pattern reflects a broader climate shift. Increased rainfall intensity, short-duration cloudbursts, and unplanned hill development have worsened landslide risks.

“Unstable slopes, deforestation, and unregulated road cutting have made Arunachal Pradesh extremely vulnerable,” said Dr. Ranjan Hazarika, geologist and disaster expert.

 Preventive Measures Urged by Officials

District administrations have issued guidelines to all villagers:

• Move to higher ground if residing near a river

• Keep emergency kits ready (dry food, water, flashlight, medical supplies)

• Avoid using unsafe wooden bridges or muddy trails

• Do not attempt to cross overflowing streams

What to Expect in the Next 48 Hours

According to the latest IMD forecast:

• Heavy to very heavy rain is expected to continue in central and eastern Arunachal.

• River levels will remain high due to upstream rain from Nagaland and Assam hills.

• There is a high probability of more landslides in vulnerable districts.

As Arunachal Pradesh battles the dual crisis of floods and landslides, authorities are working round-the-clock to rescue trapped citizens, restore damaged roads, and prevent further loss of life.

The situation remains critical but under watch. Public cooperation, timely alerts, and effective ground response will be vital in the days ahead.