Shah dials Himanta to discuss Assam flood, assures support

Heavy flash floods in Arunachal Pradesh have resulted in the loss of three lives, with additional challenges emerging in neighboring Assam as rail services face disruptions. The incident unfolded in the Keyi Panyor district, where torrential downpours triggered devastating floods that swept away several homes and infrastructure. According to the state disaster management department, the death toll climbed to three after the recovery of the body of NEEPCO employee Saurabh Kumar Kharwar, who had gone missing following the deluge. His remains were found in the Kimin circle within the Papum Pare district. Earlier reports indicated that five individuals had initially been carried away by the floods, with two bodies recovered before Kharwar’s. Two others remain unaccounted for, raising concerns about their current status.

The flooding in Arunachal Pradesh was exacerbated by landslides reported in Tirap, East Siang, and Anjaw districts, further complicating rescue efforts. A preliminary assessment by the State Disaster Management Department revealed that approximately 2,000 residents were affected near the NEEPCO Colony, which was among the hardest hit areas. In addition, over 3,250 people in Siang district were impacted within the last 24 hours. These figures underscore the severity of the situation and highlight the urgent need for coordinated relief operations.

Meanwhile, in Assam, the heavy rainfall has led to significant disruptions, particularly affecting the region around Dhemaji district. Over 15,000 people have been impacted by the floods, with more than 110 millimeters of rain recorded in and around the area. The relentless downpours contributed to riverbank erosion, which compromised a critical railway bridge connecting Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations. As a result, train services between these two locations were temporarily suspended. Officials from the North Eastern Railway stated that the bridge, originally built in 1965 and later upgraded to broad gauge, had been in good condition until recent heavy rains caused a section of the river bank to collapse, destabilizing one of its piers.

The Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, expressed deep concern over the ongoing crisis and emphasized his commitment to supporting the affected communities. In a social media message, he conveyed solidarity with the victims and outlined plans to deploy a comprehensive government response. This includes mobilizing all available resources to ensure the immediate safety of displaced families and facilitate long-term rehabilitation. To oversee these efforts, Sarma has directed two cabinet ministers—Sushanta Borgohain, the Water Resources Minister, and Keshab Mahanta, the Revenue & Disaster Management Minister—to remain stationed in Dhemaji and manage the relief operations directly.

The situation has sparked discussions among local officials and community leaders regarding the broader implications of such extreme weather events. Some have pointed to climate change as a contributing factor to the increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters in the region. Others have called for improved early warning systems and better infrastructure planning to mitigate future risks. Despite these calls for action, the immediate focus remains on providing emergency aid and ensuring the safety of those affected.

As the authorities continue their efforts to assess the full scale of the damage and coordinate relief, the outlook for the affected regions remains uncertain. With ongoing rainfall and the potential for further landslides and floods, the challenge of restoring normalcy will likely persist for weeks. The coming days will be crucial in determining how effectively the government can respond to the unfolding crisis and provide much-needed assistance to the vulnerable populations.