Four rescued from overflowing Arunachal river after raft capsizing; Assam grapples with floods

Guwahati: Four people who had been stranded in the overflowing Sisiri River in Arunachal Pradesh's Dambuk area were safely rescued and later airlifted. Six districts of Assam are inundated in the first wave of this year's floods.

Officials in Arunachal Pradesh stated the rescue operation had turned dangerous when a rescue raft capsized in strong river currents.

Dambuk MLA Puinnyo Apum expressed relief and thanked all those involved in the operation. "With a heart full of immense relief and profound gratitude, following a gruelling, round-the-clock rescue operation, all four individuals have been safely evacuated and airlifted and are now back with their anxious families," Apum said, in a post on social media.


The rescue was nothing less than dramatic.

Officials stated that the rescue raft overturned in the powerful current while attempting to evacuate the stranded group from the Sisiri River.

Also read: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma monitoring Dhemaji flood situation, train services suspended

“Seven rescuers had entered the river to evacuate four stranded people. The rescue team had located the three stranded people and were returning to the riverbank when the boat capsized after being hit by a strong undercurrent. Five people swam safely to the riverbank, while five others were swept away by the current. Of them, two reached a river island, while another became trapped on a log in the middle of the river before being rescued by NDRF personnel.”

A 30-member NDRF team along with Arunachal Pradesh Police and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), continued rescue efforts through Sunday night. An Indian Air Force helicopter airlifted the stranded individuals to safety.

The first wave of this year's floods in Assam has inundated six districts, disrupting rail and road connectivity.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the scenario with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and assured all possible assistance from the Centre. "I have briefed him on the relief and rehabilitation measures presently underway. He has also assured us all possible support and assistance from the Government of India to deal with this situation," Sarma said in a post on social media.

Floods have affected Dhemaji, Nalbari, Dibrugarh, Chirang, Lakhimpur and Kokrajhar districts, while incessant rainfall in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh has aggravated the situation in several riverine areas of Upper Assam.

Dhemaji remains the worst-affected district, with 15,483 people from 69 villages across the Jonai, Sissiborgaon, Dhemaji and Gogamukh revenue circles affected by floodwaters.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta, who was deputed by the Chief Minister to assess the situation on the ground, said two relief camps have been opened in Jonai and rescue operations are continuing with the assistance of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

The situation in Dhemaji has been aggravated following a landslide in Arunachal Pradesh's Magi village that blocked the flow of the Gai River, locally known as the Siji River.