The death toll from the flash floods triggered by incessant rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor district has risen to three after rescue teams recovered another body on Sunday, while search operations continue for two people still reported missing.
According to State Disaster Management Secretary Dani Sulu, the body of Saurabh Kumar Kharwar was found near Hawa Camp in neighbouring Papum Pare district, around 35 kilometres from the flood-hit Poosa area. Rescue teams have been dispatched to retrieve the remains. Five people were swept away when flash floods struck the district on Wednesday. The bodies of two women had earlier been recovered on Wednesday and Saturday.
Search and rescue efforts entered their fifth day, with teams conducting raft operations near the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project while ground personnel searched areas around the NEEPCO Colony. To strengthen the operation, an additional 23 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have been deployed.
The Indian Red Cross Society is dispatching relief materials, which are expected to be airlifted by an MI-17 helicopter, subject to favourable weather. Around 128 households have been affected, and 60 displaced residents are currently staying at a relief camp on the NEEPCO campus.
The flash floods have caused extensive damage to homes, roads and public infrastructure. Preliminary estimates indicate that around 30 houses in the NEEPCO Colony were washed away, while several others in Possa and Pitapool suffered complete or partial damage. NEEPCO said it is still assessing the impact on its hydropower facilities.
Floods and landslides have now affected nine districts, including Keyi Panyor, Papum Pare, East Siang and Leparada, where rising river levels continue to threaten bridges and connectivity.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across several parts of Arunachal Pradesh over the next 24 to 48 hours. Authorities have urged residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel and follow official advisories as the risk of further flooding remains high.
