Arunachal Rain Fury: Nine Dead In Flash Floods, Landslides Triggered By Downfall In Northeastern State

Arunachal Rain Fury:Vehicle With Two Families Falls Into Deep Gorge

Seven members of two families were killed after their vehicle was swept off the road by a landslide late Friday night. The incident took place along the Bana-Seppa stretch of National Highway 13 in East Kameng district. The vehicle was en route to Seppa from Bana in Bichom district when a sudden landslide triggered by heavy rainfall pushed it into a deep gorge, said East Kameng Superintendent of Police (SP) Kamdam Sikom.

Arunachal Rain Fury:Rescue Operations Hindered By Torrential Rain

“All the victims were residents of Kitchang village in Bana,” he said. Rescue efforts began immediately but were severely hampered by torrential rain, fresh landslides, and extremely poor visibility through the night. Despite these challenges, police and rescue teams continued their efforts.

“On Saturday, the operation resumed with vital support from local villagers. After several hours of a painstaking search, the wreckage was located approximately 150 metres below the highway,” Sikom said, adding that all seven occupants were found dead inside.

The deceased have been identified as 35-year-old Shankar alias Saju Budi Aka, owner of the vehicle, his wife Tasum Budi Aka (25), who was four months pregnant, his daughter Kachung Budi Aka (8) and four-year-old son Nicha Budi Aka, the SP said.

Another pregnant woman Jajum Yame (33) also died along with her five-year-old daughter Tushum Yame and seven-year-old son Patiya Yame, the SP added.

In a separate incident in Lower Subansiri district, two labourers were killed and two others rescued after a landslide struck a cabbage farm near the Pine Groove area along the Ziro-Kamle road, police said.

The incident occurred late Thursday night at the Rann Poliyan Cabbage Farm, said Lower Subansiri Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ojing Lego.

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. The most impacted localities include Polo colony, Sigum Rijo, Sigin colony, Bukpen colony, and Forest colony, the officials said.

Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Tasso Gambo, along with additional DC Biaro Sorum and other district officials, visited the affected areas to assess the damage and oversee response measures.

The DC has issued a prohibitory order urging residents in vulnerable areas to stay alert and relocate to safer places.

Relief and rescue operations are underway, with the administration and disaster management department conducting damage assessments and providing immediate support to affected families.

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.