ITANAGAR, 14 Jul: Fresh floods, landslides and heavy rainfall affected four more districts of Arunachal Pradesh in the last 24 hours, even as Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak on Tuesday urged the Centre to provide a special relief and rehabilitation package, saying the scale of destruction is beyond the capacity of the state government alone to manage.

According to the State Emergency Operation Centre’s (SEOC) daily situation report, Kamle, Pakke-Kessang, Kra Daadi and East Kameng reported fresh incidents of flooding and landslides during the period. However, no fresh casualty, injury or missing case was reported in the last 24 hours.

The latest incidents have pushed the cumulative number of people affected by the monsoon disaster to 1,02,917 across 466 villages under 295 circles in all 26 districts of the state. The rain-triggered floods and landslides have so far claimed seven lives and left 29 people injured.

Upper Siang remains the worst-affected district, with about 49,259 people impacted, followed by Siang (25,365), Kra Daadi (13,731), East Kameng (6,146) and Namsai (2,657).

Kamle reported one incident each of heavy rainfall and flooding, while Pakke-Kessang witnessed one landslide. Kra Daadi recorded three flood and three landslide incidents, and East Kameng reported two flood incidents.

In Kamle district, Kamporijo circle and Yukar village were affected. In Pakke-Kessang, the affected area included Pakro village under Pijirang circle. Fresh damage was also reported from Nyorig, Tali, Pipsorang and Gangte circles in Kra Daadi district, affecting Ruhi, Jha, Tali town, the Tali-Pipsorang road, and Balo and Pha villages. In East Kameng, Seppa town and the Type-III Colony under Seppa circle were affected.

 The SEOC report said 17 kutcha houses were severely damaged by floods in Kamle district. In Kra Daadi, floods damaged four kutcha houses, one hut and 16 pucca houses.

Infrastructure also suffered fresh damage. A landslide damaged a road in Pakke-Kessang, while one bridge and two roads were damaged in Kra Daadi. Two hostels in the district were completely destroyed. In East Kameng, two retaining walls suffered severe damage due to flooding.

Meanwhile, flash floods triggered by incessant rain washed away an 84-metre bridge over the Kumey river in Kra Daadi district on Monday, cutting off eight villages from the rest of the state. Pipsorang Subdivisional Officer Yumlam Pulu and Tali East Zilla Parishad Member Rughu Tama visited the affected areas.

Pulu said that besides the bridge, more than 20 houses located along the riverbank had been destroyed. He urged residents to strictly follow the district administration’s safety advisories and avoid venturing near the river.

The cumulative impact of the monsoon continues to be significant, with 452 kutcha houses, 100 pucca houses, 44 huts and 24 other houses damaged across the state. The disasters have also affected 561.75 hectares of crop area, including 337.75 hectares under horticulture and 224 hectares under agriculture.

Besides damaging 153 roads, 24 bridges and 26 culverts, the floods and landslides have affected 237 drinking water supply systems, 156 power lines, 224 electric poles, 59 government buildings and 19 schools, while also impacting 1,010 hectares of forest area.

In East Kameng, the district administration appealed to people to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel during the ongoing spell of heavy rain. Residents have been advised to stay away from riverbanks and water bodies, refrain from fishing and other recreational activities in rivers, and avoid unauthorised earth-cutting to minimise landslide risks.

Deputy Commissioner Yashaswani B, accompanied by the Seppa circle officer, inspected vulnerable low-lying areas along the Kameng and Pacha rivers, including Shantipur, Kameng Tampa, Ashoka Colony, Sangkam and Abo Tani Colony, to assess erosion, review the extent of damage and evaluate preparedness. The district administration said it is closely monitoring the flood and landslide situation and has directed all departments concerned to remain on alert.

Addressing reporters here, Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak called for a special central assistance package to strengthen rescue operations, restore damaged infrastructure and support long-term rehabilitation of affected communities.

“The scale of destruction caused by the floods is beyond the capacity of the state government alone to manage. A special central assistance package is essential not only for immediate relief but also for long-term rehabilitation and rebuilding of affected communities,” he said.

Tagak said he had been visiting flood-hit areas since 4 July, and that major incidents have occurred in Keyi Panyor, the Siang belt, Kurung Kumey and Tirap districts. He said around 15 districts have been severely affected by floods and landslides, with widespread damage to roads, bridges, drinking water supply systems, power infrastructure and residential houses.

Several areas, he said, continue to remain cut off due to damaged connectivity, leading to shortages of essential commodities, including food and drinking water. He also lauded local communities, volunteers, SDRF personnel and district administrations for their rescue and relief efforts.

Tagak said he would raise the issue during the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament beginning on 20 July. Describing the present situation as one of the worst natural disasters in recent years, he said the devastation in several areas is comparable to major calamities witnessed in the past.

Responding to queries, Tagak maintained that the disaster was primarily caused by natural factors such as cloudbursts and heavy landslides, and not by illegal earth-cutting or road construction. He also said hydropower dams helped regulate water flow and reduce downstream impacts in some areas.