Guwahati: Fresh spells of heavy rain have triggered floods and landslides across Arunachal Pradesh, affecting more than 94,200 people in 26 districts and causing extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture and forests, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).
The latest SEOC report said 94,243 people across 333 villages in 237 circles have been affected during the ongoing monsoon season. Upper Siang remains the worst-hit district, followed by Siang and Kra Daadi.
Over the past 24 hours, Changlang reported heavy rainfall, flooding and a landslide, while Upper Subansiri recorded two flood incidents and three landslides. Upper Siang witnessed 16 landslides, and a rain-triggered rockfall was reported from East Kameng.
The monsoon has claimed four lives in the state so far. One person died in a landslide at Sarti village in Anjaw district on June 28, while three others were killed in a flash flood at Possa in Keyi Panyor district. Twenty-one people have been injured and two women remain missing.
Rescue and relief operations are underway in the affected districts, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Army, the Air Force and other state agencies deployed.
The SEOC said the floods and landslides have damaged 334.2 hectares of crops, including 185.5 hectares under horticulture and 148.7 hectares under agriculture. Nearly 1,010 hectares of forest area have also been affected.
Public infrastructure has suffered extensive damage, including 131 roads, 19 bridges, 21 culverts, 191 water supply systems, 58 government buildings, 21 power lines, 224 electric poles, four hydel projects, seven flood protection walls, two hospitals and three schools. Hundreds of houses have also been damaged across the state.
Two relief camps remain operational in Keyi Panyor district, where 252 displaced people are currently taking shelter.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall across Arunachal Pradesh over the coming days. Heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is expected over Lohit, Changlang and Tirap on Wednesday, followed by Lower Dibang Valley, Namsai and Tirap on Thursday. Heavy rainfall is also forecast for Upper Subansiri, Lower Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Namsai, Tirap and Longding on Friday.