Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Jun 24: Heavy overnight rainfall triggered a devastating flash flood in the Poosa area near the NEEPCO project under Yazali Circle in Keyi Panyor district, leaving five persons missing, 17 injured and causing extensive damage to residential quarters and infrastructure.
According to Disaster Management Secretary Dani Salu, torrential rain during the intervening night of June 23 and 24 led to flooding in and around the NEEPCO complex after an under-construction retaining wall collapsed, inundating low-lying residential quarters.
Initial reports received from the district administration indicated damage to 18 residential quarters within the NEEPCO Colony and one person missing. However, a status report issued in the afternoon confirmed that five persons were missing, as reported by NEEPCO authorities.
A total of 17 people sustained injuries in the incident, including three who were critically injured. The critically injured victims were evacuated to Gyati Takka District Hospital in Ziro for advanced medical treatment. Owing to a road blockade at Pitapool, rescue personnel had to manually carry the patients across the obstructed stretch before they could be transported further by ambulance.
Responding swiftly to the emergency, the district administration directed the senior officials including ADC, DSP and Circle Officer to rush to the affected site for immediate assessment and coordination of relief operations. SDRF teams were deployed, while the NDRF was placed on alert and mobilised for possible intervention.
All available reserve personnel and vehicles were concentrated in the Yazali jurisdiction, and ex-servicemen from the area were mobilised to support rescue and relief efforts.
As a precautionary measure, NEEPCO temporarily shut down its powerhouse and began releasing water from the dam. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further risks.
Meanwhile, continuous rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides across several parts of Papum Pare district, disrupting road connectivity, damaging water supply infrastructure, inundating villages and causing extensive losses to houses and agricultural fields.
Authorities reported that the road between Mepsoro and the Hoj Highway Junction Point in Papum Pare district remains completely blocked due to massive landslides at multiple locations. The Hoj-Sagalee highway near the Hoj Power House was also blocked following landslides.
Road clearance operations by Sushee Infra Pvt Ltd are underway on a war footing, although officials said it is not yet possible to estimate when the route will be reopened.
Sagalee ADC Kipa Raja immediately visited the affected sites and mobilised men and machinery for restoration work. Four JCBs have been deployed to clear the road and restore connectivity, while additional police personnel have been stationed at vulnerable locations for traffic management and public safety.
Travellers from East Kameng, Pakke Kessang, West Kameng and Tawang districts have been advised to avoid travelling through the Sagalee-Hoj route until further notice.
Rescue, assessment and restoration efforts are continuing in both districts as authorities race against time to locate the missing persons, assist affected families and restore normalcy in the flood-affected areas.