At least nine people lost their lives in Arunachal Pradesh over the past two days as relentless rainfall triggered landslides and flash floods across the hilly state, officials confirmed on Saturday.
In a tragic incident late Friday night, a landslide swept a vehicle carrying seven members of two families off National Highway 13 in East Kameng district. The vehicle was travelling from Bana to Seppa when it was pushed into a deep gorge by a landslip along the Bana-Seppa stretch, said Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikom.
“All the victims were residents of Kitchang village in Bana,” Sikom said. Rescue efforts began immediately but were severely hampered by incessant rain and treacherous conditions. On Saturday, with the help of local villagers, rescue teams located the wreckage about 150 metres below the highway. All seven occupants were found dead.
The deceased include 35-year-old vehicle owner Shankar alias Saju Budi Aka, his pregnant wife Tasum Budi Aka (25), their daughter Kachung (8) and son Nicha (4). Also killed were another pregnant woman, Jajum Yame (33) and her two children, Tushum (5) and Patiya (7).
In a separate landslide on Thursday night, two labourers were killed at a cabbage farm near the Pine Groove area along the Ziro-Kamle road in Lower Subansiri district. Two others were rescued from the debris, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Ojing Lego. The landslide occurred at the Rann Poliyan Cabbage Farm.
Authorities have issued alerts across vulnerable regions of the state and are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing and officials warn that more landslides could occur if the weather continues to deteriorate.
In Upper Subansiri, flash floods caused extensive damage in Daporijo, the district headquarters, after the Sigin river overflowed, inundating several low-lying areas, they said.
At least 117 houses, along with several vital infrastructure in the district, were affected due to inclement weather conditions.
In West Kameng district, hundreds of people have been stranded at 35 Charai near Jamiri, along the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang (BCT) road, another official said.
Road blockades have also been reported at Jyoti Nagar, Dirang, Padma, and Durga Mandir in the district.
District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Mindu Yangzom said Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams and machinery have been deployed near Jamiri, though continuous rain has hampered restoration efforts.
A major landslide in Petaling colony in Bomdila, the district headquarters, on Friday washed away portions of roads and culverts and an abandoned house.
Though no casualties were reported, landslides caused disruptions in power supply.
Road connectivity between Nafra-Nakhu-Nachibom villages in West Kameng and Bichom district was cut off due to landslides at several points, leaving many commuters stranded.
The DDMO in West Kameng district has issued an advisory, urging people to avoid landslide-prone areas, streams, and unstable zones.
Citizens have been warned against venturing into water bodies for fishing or hunting and advised to evacuate immediately in case of flash floods or landslides.
Landslides have also been reported from Kurung Kumey, Kamle, and Lower Subansiri districts, where authorities are working to clear blockades and restore traffic movement.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall due to a depression over Bangladesh.
Light to moderate rain is expected in most areas, with heavy to very heavy rainfall likely in several regions.
Isolated places may experience extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning, increasing the risk of floods and landslides in vulnerable locations.