Nine fatalities reported in Arunachal Pradesh due to heavy rainfall, which leading to landslides and flash floods causing extensive damage.
Arunachal Pradesh grapples with devastating landslides and flash floods fueled by incessant rainfall
In the hilly state of Arunachal Pradesh, at least nine individuals lost their lives over the past two days as heavy rainfall triggered landslides and floods, officials confirmed on Saturday.
In a heartrending incident late on Friday night, a vehicle carrying seven members of two families was swept away by a landslide along the Bana-Seppa stretch of National Highway 13 in East Kameng district. The vehicle, transporting residents from Kitchang village in Bana, was reportedly pushed into a deep gorge when a landslip occurred on the Bana-Seppa stretch, according to Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikom.
Rescue efforts began promptly but were significantly hindered by the continuous rainfall and precarious conditions. On Saturday, with the aid of local villagers, rescue teams managed to locate the vehicle's wreckage about 150 meters below the highway. All seven occupants were discovered deceased.
Among the deceased were Shankar alias Saju Budi Aka (35), his pregnant wife Tasum Budi Aka (25), their daughter Kachung (8), and son Nicha (4). Also among the casualties were another pregnant woman, Jajum Yame (33), and her two children, Tushum (5) and Patiya (7).
In another tragic landslide on Thursday night, two labourers perished 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, as per Deputy Superintendent of Police Ojing Lego.
In addition to the loss of life, extensive damage was reported in Daporijo, the district headquarters of Upper Subansiri, due to flash floods that followed the overflowing Sigin river. The floods inundated several low-lying areas, affecting at least 117 homes and essential infrastructure.
In West Kameng district, hundreds of people found themselves stranded at 35 Charai near Jamiri, along the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang (BCT) road. Road blockages have also been reported at multiple locations, including Jyoti Nagar, Dirang, Padma, and Durga Mandir in the district.
The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh expressed condolences for the deceased and announced financial assistance for the affected families. Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel due to the ongoing threat of landslides, as the India Meteorological Department has forecasted further heavy rainfall in the region.
The hilly terrain of Arunachal Pradesh makes it particularly susceptible to landslides and flash flooding during heavy rainfall, accounting for the recent destruction and fatalities.
Finance experts predict a potential impact on local market activities due to the current general-news events in Arunachal Pradesh, where Defi, the digital finance sector, may experience temporary disruptions as roads and infrastructure are damaged by landslides and flash floods. Meanwhile, weather forecasts warn of further heavy rainfall, potentially exacerbating the situation.
