Arunachal Pradesh flash flood death toll rises to two; three still missing

The death toll from flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh's Keyi Panyor district rose to two on Saturday after rescuers recovered the body of a woman from the debris at the NEEPCO Colony. Three people remain missing.

The deceased was identified as 30-year-old Ballari Marak, also known as Olyn Synkly, from Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya.

With the latest recovery, two deaths have been confirmed, while search operations for the three missing persons entered their fourth day on Saturday.


According to district administration officials, five people were initially reported missing after flash floods inundated the NEEPCO project colony near Poosa under the Yazali circle of Keyi Panyor district.

Officials said an under-construction retaining wall collapsed following incessant rainfall, causing severe waterlogging in low-lying residential areas in and around the colony. Nearly 20 houses and residential units were damaged after continuous rainfall since Tuesday triggered flash floods across the Yazali circle.

The state-owned North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) released water from the Ranganadi Dam as a precautionary measure due to rising inflows.

Disaster management authorities have advised residents living in vulnerable areas and along riverbanks to remain alert and avoid unnecessary movement.

The Assam government has issued a high alert following reports of heavy rainfall and flash floods in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh over concerns about downstream impacts on several districts.

State Disaster Management Secretary Dani Sulu said the rescue operation is being carried out jointly by personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district police and local volunteers. An Indian Air Force helicopter and a state Civil Aviation helicopter have been deployed to airlift additional SDRF personnel and rescue equipment to the affected area.

A relief camp has been set up on the NEEPCO campus, where 60 displaced people are currently taking shelter. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, in several districts from Sunday.