Arunachal flash flood: Indian Air Force begins rescue operations in flood-hit Keyi Panyor

The Arunachal Pradesh government on Wednesday activated emergency air support and started rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Keyi Panyor district after flash floods hit the Poosa area. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is leading rescue and relief operations and has facilitated the deployment of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and equipment to the affected areas.

Search and rescue continues

According to the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Arunachal Pradesh, the state’s Civil Aviation Department was immediately activated on receiving information about flash floods in Poosa area and was put on alert for rescue and relief operations.

On the request of Deputy Commissioner of District Keyi Panyor, the Civil Aviation Department coordinated with the Eastern Air Command (EAC), Shillong, seeking air support for the evacuation and deployment of relief personnel and material.

Read also | Arunachal News: Heavy rain triggers landslides, flash floods in Keyi Panyor

The IAF subsequently launched an air support mission to airlift SDRF personnel and relief materials from Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) to Pitapool in Keyi Panyor district.

Officials said the IAF team, operating under the leadership of Colonel R. Malhotra of the Ministry of Defense and Group Captain Mukesh Chauhan of the Eastern Air Command, successfully reached Hollongi and proceeded to Pitapool despite challenging weather conditions.

An SDRF team and essential relief materials have been flown to the affected area to support the ongoing relief efforts.

Authorities said additional air support operations were planned to meet additional requirements as rescue and relief efforts continued in the district.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Disaster Management expressed their gratitude to the Indian Air Force, SDRF personnel and APD Hollongi for ensuring quick deployment of air support during the emergency.

Flash flood in Arunachal Pradesh

Torrential rains caused by flash floods caused extensive damage to residential areas and infrastructure around the NEEPCO colony in Poosa. According to initial reports, approximately 18 homes and residential neighborhoods sustained varying degrees of damage, although detailed assessments are still underway.

Five people were initially missing after the disaster. Later on Wednesday, the body of one of the missing, Nirmala Gupta (35), a teacher of VKV NEEPCO, was found. The remaining missing have been identified as Elesh Marak (13), Balari Marak (30), Tao Anjina (46) and Sourav Kumar.

Meanwhile, the restoration of road connectivity is progressing on many fronts. Two excavators were deployed from the Pitapool side to clear road blockages towards Potin, while trailers were arranged from Kra Daadi and Kamle districts. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) continues to clear roads from the Kimin side, while Highway Department teams are simultaneously working on the Hoj side.

Several sections between the towns of Potin, Pitapool and Poosa remain affected by landslides and debris, although partial connectivity has been restored to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles and rescue teams.

Six districts affected by floods

The North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) has started releasing water from the Panyor Lower Hydropower Project reservoir as a precautionary measure and power generation at the project has been temporarily suspended, the secretary said.

Heavy rainfall also disrupted road connectivity in the district, with three stretches of NH-13 at Potin and Hoj blocked by landslides, leaving several people stranded, he said.

As many as six districts – Keyi Panyor, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Lower Subansiri, Kamle and Upper Subansiri – have been cut off due to monsoon-related disturbances triggered by heavy rains, SP Angad Mehta said in a statement.