Itanagar: Torrential rains across Arunachal Pradesh have triggered flash floods and landslides, leaving at least nine people dead and causing widespread damage in multiple districts, officials confirmed on Saturday.
Seven members of two families lost their lives late Friday night when a massive landslide swept their vehicle off National Highway 13 near the Bana-Seppa stretch in East Kameng district.
The vehicle, travelling from Bana to Seppa in Bichom district, plunged into a gorge following the slide, said East Kameng Superintendent of Police (SP) Kamdam Sikom.
“All the victims hailed from Kitchang village in Bana,” SP Sikom stated.
Rescue efforts were launched immediately but were obstructed by relentless rain and poor visibility.
The operation resumed Saturday morning with assistance from local villagers, eventually leading to the discovery of the wreckage approximately 150 metres below the highway.
All seven occupants were found dead inside the vehicle.
The deceased were identified as Shankar alias Saju Budi Aka (35), owner of the vehicle; his pregnant wife Tasum Budi Aka (25); their children Kachung (8) and Nicha (4); and another pregnant woman Jajum Yame (33), along with her children Tushum (5) and Patiya Yame (7).
In a separate incident, a landslide at a cabbage farm along the Ziro-Kamle road in Lower Subansiri district claimed the lives of two labourers.
Two others were rescued from the site near Pine Grove late Thursday night, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Ojing Lego.
In Upper Subansiri, the Sigin River overflowed due to flash floods, inundating Daporijo town and several surrounding areas.
Preliminary reports indicate that at least 117 houses and key infrastructure were affected across Polo Colony, Sigum Rijo, Sigin Colony, Bukpen Colony, and Forest Colony.
District officials, including Deputy Commissioner Tasso Gambo and Additional DC Biaro Sorum, visited the worst-hit areas on Saturday to assess the damage and supervise emergency response measures.
A prohibitory order has been issued urging residents in vulnerable locations to shift to safer areas immediately.
Relief and rescue operations are ongoing, with disaster response teams and local authorities on high alert.
Damage assessments and aid distribution are being coordinated by the District Administration and Disaster Management Department, said District Information and Public Relations Officer Taw Ekke.
In West Kameng district, heavy rains have stranded hundreds of commuters near 35 Charai along the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang (BCT) road.
Major blockages have also been reported at Jyoti Nagar, Dirang, Padma, and Durga Mandir.
District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Mindu Yangzom confirmed that Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams have been deployed for road clearance, but persistent rain continues to hinder restoration efforts.
A major landslide in Bomdila’s Petaling Colony on Friday destroyed parts of roads, culverts, and an abandoned house, though no casualties were reported.
Several remote routes, including the Nafra-Nakhu-Nachibom axis in West Kameng and stretches in Bichom district, have been cut off due to multiple landslides.
The DDMO has issued public advisories cautioning residents to avoid unstable terrain, streams, and water bodies, especially for fishing or hunting. People have been urged to evacuate immediately if flash flood warnings are issued.
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Additional landslides and infrastructure disruptions have been reported from Kurung Kumey, Kamle, and Lower Subansiri districts. Local authorities are working to clear blockades and restore traffic and essential services.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast for continued widespread rainfall across the region.
A depression over Bangladesh is expected to bring light to moderate rain in most areas, with isolated pockets likely to experience heavy to extremely heavy downpours, thunderstorms, and lightning—further elevating the risk of floods and landslides in vulnerable zones.
