Arunachal: Flash Floods Devastate NEEPCO Colony in Keyi Panyor District; 3 Missing, Rescue Operations Underway

ITANAGAR- Heavy rainfall triggered devastating flash floods and landslides in Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor district on Wednesday morning, severely damaging the NEEPCO colony in the Poosa (Possa) area near Yazali and leaving at least three people missing.

HINDI TUTION

The incident, caused by intense downpour, has cut off parts of the district and prompted large-scale rescue efforts by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

Cause and Rainfall

According to officials, the Yazali station in Keyi Panyor district recorded 72.8 mm of rainfall over 24 hours, with the bulk falling in a short three-hour window early Wednesday. This caused the Possa river to swell rapidly, leading to flash flooding.

An under-construction retaining wall collapsed under the force of the water, inundating low-lying residential areas in the NEEPCO project colony.

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Damages Reported

• 15–18 semi-permanent residential quarters/houses in the NEEPCO colony were damaged or swept away.
• A key bridge was washed away.
• Multiple landslides blocked access routes, including sections of National Highway 13, stranding vehicles and isolating parts of the district.
• Debris and mud covered large areas, with vehicles and structures buried or damaged.

NEEPCO Update

North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO) has shut down the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project (also referred to as Panyor Lower Hydro Station) following the cloudburst and resulting flood damage to parts of the project and colony. One spillway gate was opened to release excess water. The residential colony for project staff was among the worst affected.

Casualties and Missing Persons

No deaths have been confirmed in this specific incident so far. However, three people are reported missing. Rescue teams have successfully rescued four individuals, including a geologist trapped between landslides.

Rescue and Relief Operations

• SDRF teams are on the ground conducting search and rescue operations.
• The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been placed on standby and is en route, though access remains extremely difficult.
• Challenges include multiple landslides blocking roads from Itanagar and Ziro, ongoing rain, and the inability of helicopters to operate due to weather.
• In some areas, only foot access is possible.
• Keyi Panyor Deputy Commissioner Shweta Nagarkoti is monitoring the situation on-site. Additional officials, including the Additional DC, DSP, and Circle Officer, have been rushed to the affected area.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu has directed immediate relief measures. The state government has assured full preparedness for monsoon challenges.

Broader Impact

The district is largely cut off due to landslides. Downstream areas in Assam (including districts like Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, and Sonitpur) are on high alert for possible rise in water levels in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries. Authorities have advised residents in low-lying areas to move to safer locations.

This latest flash flood adds to the ongoing monsoon-related disruptions across Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast, though Wednesday’s event appears largely localized to the Keyi Panyor district.

Authorities continue to assess the full extent of damage, with relief and restoration efforts ongoing. Updates are expected as rescue operations progress and access improves.