Assam on high alert after flash floods in Arunachal Pradesh

Representative image only. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Assam government has issued a high alert after extremely heavy rainfall and flash floods were reported in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Subansiri district, potentially affecting several downstream districts of Assam.

According to information received from Guwahati’s Regional Meteorological Center and Itanagar Meteorological Center, Lower Subansiri’s Yazali recorded 72.8 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, mostly between 6 am and 9 am on Wednesday (June 24, 2026).

“The high volume of rainfall has led to flash floods and a substantial increase in river flow in the upper catchments,” the Assam government said in a statement.

“Flash floods have been reported in the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project (formerly Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project) area. Due to the sudden increase in inflows, operational measures have been taken and one spillway gate has been opened to release excess water,” the statement said.

“Reports from Yazali indicate that flash floods accompanied by debris flows have caused damage to houses and infrastructure in the affected areas. Due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchments and increased river flows, a substantial increase in the level and velocity of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries is expected in the downstream areas of the Assam River,” the statement further said.

The districts that could be affected include Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath and Sonitpur. “The situation is being monitored at the highest level in the state. District administrations and line departments in districts likely to be affected have been asked to maintain heightened vigilance and take early preventive and response measures,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

An Assam government spokesperson said teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other emergency response agencies are still ready for deployment and field-level police officers have been ordered to closely monitor river conditions and vulnerable locations.

He said citizens in high-risk areas have been advised not to venture into flooded areas and avoid traveling by country boats and other small vessels across the Brahmaputra and other rivers during this period as river flows are expected to rise considerably.

Published – 24 Jun 2026 12:58 IST