Northeast floods: Amit Shah calls Assam CM, ensures relief for thousands affected; IAF rescues stranded people in Arunachal | Today’s news
Northeast floods: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to review the flood situation in several parts of the state and assured him of the Centre’s full support in managing the crisis, officials said.
In Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang district, an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter on Monday rescued four people stranded on an island in the Sisiri River in Dambuk district.
Floods in Assam
According to officials, Shah inquired about the extent of damage caused by rising river levels across the state. In a post on social media, Sarma said he had informed the Union Home Minister about the relief and rehabilitation efforts currently underway in the flood-hit areas.
“He has also assured us of all possible support and assistance from the Government of India to deal with this situation. Thanks to Hon’ble Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji for his call and inquiry about the flood situation in Dhemaji,” Sarma said on X.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), nearly 16,000 people have been affected by the floods in 69 villages in four revenue circles of Dhemaji district.
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Sarma said on Sunday evening that he was closely monitoring the flood situation as it developed in the district. Expressing concern over the impact on residents, he said the state government stood firmly behind those affected by the crisis.
Sarma added that the government is deploying all available resources to ensure the immediate safety of the affected residents and support their long-term rehabilitation.
The North East Frontier Railway (NFR) said that train services between Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations have been suspended indefinitely after the railway bridge was damaged by severe erosion caused by heavy floods.
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“This bridge, built in 1965 and later converted to broad gauge, was in good and safe condition, but due to the washing away of a large part of the river bank during heavy rains, one of its piers became unstable,” the statement said.
Landslides hit Arunachal Pradesh
Heavy monsoon rains continued to lash the state on Monday, triggering widespread flooding and landslides that caused widespread damage to roads, bridges and homes across the state.
The downpour also caused widespread damage on the Roing–Anini road in the district, with flash floods washing away roads and bridges at several places. An excavator operator was feared dead in Anjaw district after a massive boulder crushed the machine during highway construction work near Sarti village on the Walong road on Sunday evening.
Rescue operations were halted overnight due to poor visibility and the threat of more rockfalls, but resumed early Monday.
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Officers from the Walong Outpost and Hawai Police Station assisted with the rescue operation, while the affected section of the road was closed to traffic until the debris removal was completed. Officials said the status of the excavator’s crew has yet to be officially confirmed.
East Siang district remained on high alert as incessant rains caused landslides, flash floods and road flooding, severely disrupting connectivity across the region.
Only two of the 11 main roads affected by the heavy rain have been reopened, while the remaining nine, including the Pasighat-Pangin, Pasighat-Mariyang-Yingkiong, Pasighat-Mebo-Dambuk-Bomjir, Bilat-Ledum and Pasighat-Yagrung-Ledum-Tene roads – remained blocked or remain blocked.
According to an official report, the left approach to Letong Bridge on the Pasighat-Runne-Takilalung road was washed away, while roads near Balek High School, Ranaghat Bridge and Poglek River Crossing remained impassable.
The continuous rainfall caused the river to change its course, leading to floods that inundated at least 10 houses in the Ledum area. One house was almost completely submerged, two cattle were washed away, and a community toilet and rice mill remained on the verge of sinking. Three shops were also damaged.
Officials said about 12 families have been relocated to safer areas. Most of the displaced residents stayed with relatives, while the Dere (prayer hall) community was designated as a temporary shelter.
No deaths or missing persons have been reported. However, the collapse of a key bridge disrupted connectivity in the affected area.
Five people remain missing after flash floods ravaged the NEEPCO colony in Poosa, causing extensive damage to houses and roads and triggering numerous landslides.
Preliminary assessments showed that about 30 houses in the colony were either completely destroyed or washed away. In the nearby areas of Possa and Pitapool, another 10 houses were destroyed, while another 14 sustained partial damage.
A total of 128 households have been affected by the disaster, with 60 displaced residents currently sheltering in a relief camp set up at the NEEPCO campus.
Officials said heavy rainfall hit several districts, including Keyi Panyor, Papum Pare, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Lower Subansiri, Kamle, Upper Subansiri, East Siang, Leparada, Lower Siang, Lower Dibang Valley and Anjaw. They added that rescue operations have been intensified in all affected areas.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over East Siang and adjoining districts including Leparada, Lower Siang, Lower Subansiri and Papum Pare.
Due to the continued severe weather, authorities have advised residents to avoid traveling through areas prone to landslides and flooding unless absolutely necessary. They also urged people to follow official advice until the weather improves.
