Heavy Rains Trigger Deadly Landslides and Flash Floods Across Arunachal Pradesh; At Least Nine Dead
At least nine people have lost their lives in Arunachal Pradesh due to devastating landslides and flash floods caused by relentless rainfall over the past few days, officials confirmed on Saturday.
Tragic Landslide in East Kameng
In a particularly tragic incident, seven members of two families perished late Friday night when their vehicle was swept off National Highway 13 by a massive landslide along the Bana-Seppa route in East Kameng district.
According to Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikom, the vehicle was traveling from Bana in Bichom district to Seppa when a sudden landslide, triggered by intense rain, pushed it into a deep gorge.
“All the victims were from Kitchang village in Bana,” Sikom said.
Despite challenging conditions — including torrential rain, fresh slides, and low visibility — rescue teams initiated efforts immediately. The operation resumed Saturday morning with support from local villagers. After hours of difficult searching, the vehicle was found 150 metres below the highway, with all seven passengers deceased inside.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Shankar alias Saju Budi Aka (35) – vehicle owner
- Tasum Budi Aka (25) – his wife, four months pregnant
- Kachung Budi Aka (8) – their daughter
- Nicha Budi Aka (4) – their son
- Jajum Yame (33) – also pregnant
- Tushum Yame (5) – her daughter
- Patiya Yame (7) – her son
Other Rain-Related Fatalities and Disruptions
Elsewhere, in Lower Subansiri district, a landslide struck the Rann Poliyan Cabbage Farm near the Ziro-Kamle road late Thursday night. Two labourers were killed, while two others were rescued, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Ojing Lego.
In Upper Subansiri, flash floods wreaked havoc in Daporijo, the district headquarters, after the Sigin river overflowed, submerging low-lying areas and damaging vital infrastructure.
More than 117 houses were affected, with major damage reported in Polo Colony, Sigum Rijo, Sigin Colony, Bukpen Colony, and Forest Colony. Deputy Commissioner Tasso Gambo, along with senior officials, visited the worst-hit zones to oversee relief measures.
A prohibitory order has been issued, urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and shift to safer locations. All emergency services have been placed on high alert.
West Kameng Cut Off in Several Areas
In West Kameng, hundreds of people have been stranded at 35 Charai near Jamiri, along the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang (BCT) road, due to landslides.
Blockages were also reported in Jyoti Nagar, Dirang, Padma, and Durga Mandir, with Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams deployed to restore connectivity. However, persistent rain has slowed operations, said District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Mindu Yangzom.
A major landslide in Petaling Colony, Bomdila (district headquarters) on Friday washed away parts of the road and culverts, along with an abandoned house. Though no injuries were reported, the landslide disrupted electricity supply.
Several routes connecting Nafra, Nakhu, Nachibom, and Bichom district were also cut off by debris.
Authorities have issued advisories urging residents to avoid landslide-prone zones, unstable hillsides, and swollen streams. People have been cautioned against fishing or hunting in water bodies and told to evacuate promptly if signs of flash floods or landslides appear.
Broader Impact and Forecast
Landslides have also been reported from Kurung Kumey, Kamle, and other areas in Lower Subansiri, where teams are working to clear roadblocks and restore traffic.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of continued heavy rainfall due to a depression over Bangladesh.
Widespread light to moderate rain is forecast across Arunachal, with heavy to very heavy downpours likely in several regions. Some isolated areas may experience extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning, significantly increasing the risk of further landslides and flooding in vulnerable districts.
Authorities are continuing relief and rescue efforts, and damage assessments are underway as the region braces for more rain in the coming days.
