GUWAHATI: The flood situation in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh has reached critical levels, causing widespread devastation and displacing thousands of residents, emerging reports suggested on Tuesday.
In the past 24 hours alone, nearly 4 lakh more people have been affected in Assam, with multiple landslides further compounding the crisis in Arunachal Pradesh near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported that the number of districts affected by the flood-situation in Assam has increased to 19 from 12, with the affected population soaring from 2.62 lakh to over 6.44 lakh as of Monday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a “red warning” for the Northeast to July 5, predicting very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, exacerbating the ongoing flood situation.
In Assam, the districts of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji bordering Arunachal have borne the brunt, with over 1.43 lakh and 1.01 lakh people affected respectively.
Relief efforts are underway with more than 8,000 people seeking shelter in relief camps across various districts.
Tragically, Tinsukia district reported another flood-related death, raising this season’s toll to 35.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attributed the floods to heavy rain in Arunachal Pradesh’s catchment areas and highlighted that the government is monitoring the situation closely.
“The Subansiri in North Lakhimpur has surpassed its previous highest flood levels recorded in 2011 and 2017,” Sarma was quoted in the press as saying, highlighting the impact of water releases from the Lower Subansiri dam affecting thousands in 21 villages.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have reached out to Chief Minister Sarma to assess the situation and assured full cooperation from the Centre in relief efforts.
In Arunachal Pradesh, unprecedented rainfall has led to the collapse of the Kurung bridge, severing a vital link to areas bordering the LAC with China.
Heavy rains in Itanagar have triggered roadblocks, landslides, and mudslides, damaging houses and prompting Deputy Commissioner Shweta Nagarkoti Mehta’s appeal for residents to secure their properties and move to safer locations.
In response to the escalating situation, Itanagar has taken precautionary measures by closing all schools till July 6 to ensure student safety amidst heavy rains and landslides.
Arunachal’s Namsai and Changlang districts have also been severely impacted by incessant rainfall, prompting Assam Rifles to launch “Operation Saviour” to rescue stranded civilians and provide relief.
Approximately 500 civilians have been rescued from villages like Vijoypur and Chowkham, with temporary camps set up and emergency supplies distributed.
In East Siang district, the swelling Siang River and its tributaries have triggered landslides along major highways, disrupting essential communications and compounding the region’s woes.
