ITANAGAR, 26 Jun: Search operations have been intensified for four people who remain missing following a flash flood in Keyi Panyor district, officials said on Friday.
Rescue teams launched raft operations from the dam side of the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project on Friday morning to trace those who went missing from NEEPCO Colony during the flash flood triggered by incessant rainfall on Wednesday. The body of a 35-year-old woman was found that day, while 17 others sustained injuries.
The search operation, which began at 7:30 on Friday morning, is being carried out jointly by personnel of the NDRF, SDRF, district police and local volunteers, Disaster Management Secretary Dani Sulu said.
Meanwhile, a medical team from Papum Pare district and a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescue team were deployed to provide emergency treatment and, if required, evacuate four labourers injured in a landslide near a stone crusher plant close to the Keyi Panyor welcome gate on Thursday evening.
The labourers were injured after a landslide struck their campsite while they were asleep. Some of them were partially buried under the debris and were rescued by their co-workers before emergency responders reached the site.
According to preliminary reports, the injured sustained multiple fractures and head injuries, while one worker remains in critical condition after complaining of severe chest pain.
Officials said rescue efforts have been hampered by the absence of mobile network connectivity in the area, with information from the site reaching authorities only intermittently through people travelling to locations with network coverage.
An assessment by the district administration found that approaching the site from the Keyi Panyor side was not feasible as the nearest motorable point is around 12 km away, requiring a trek through landslide-affected terrain.
The Hoj side in Papum Pare district, involving an approximately 5 km trek, was found to be the more accessible route.
Accordingly, the Papum Pare district administration dispatched a medical team with essential medicines and emergency medical equipment, officials said.
With the condition of one of the injured labourers deteriorating, the services of the 12th Battalion of the NDRF were also requisitioned.
Both teams departed from Itanagar and were scheduled to converge at Hoj before undertaking a foot march from the last motorable point to the incident site. They will provide on-site medical care and, if necessary, evacuate the critically injured worker to the nearest motorable location, the officials said.
Meanwhile, restoration of road connectivity is underway in Keyi Panyor and Papum Pare districts.
The Potin-Kimin road has been reopened for light vehicles, while the Hoj-Sagalee section has also been restored, the officials said.
The Yachuli-Pistana-Ambam-Selsango-Parang-Sagalee-Hoj-Itanagar route has been opened for light vehicular traffic.
The flash flood struck the NEEPCO Colony area in Poosa in Keyi Panyor district on Wednesday morning, damaging houses, disrupting road connectivity, and triggering landslides at several locations.
An Indian Air Force helicopter and a helicopter of the state Civil Aviation Department had been pressed into service to airlift additional SDRF personnel and rescue equipment to strengthen the ongoing operation.
According to preliminary assessment, around 30 houses were completely damaged or washed away at NEEPCO Colony, while 10 houses were completely damaged and 14 partially, at Possa and Pitapool areas due to the flood. As many as 128 households have been affected in the district.
A relief camp has been set up on the NEEPCO campus where 60 persons are currently taking shelter.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed deep anguish over the tragedy and assured affected families of the government’s full support.
He said all agencies have been fully mobilised and are actively engaged in rescue, relief and restoration efforts, while the state government is closely monitoring the situation to ensure timely rescue, medical assistance and relief to those affected.
NES urges govt to provide humanitarian aid to flood-affected, restore road connectivity
The Nyishi Elite Society (NES) urged the state government to provide humanitarian aid, including food, medical care and shelter to people affected by flash floods in Poosa in Keyi Panyor district.
The society also called for early restoration of road connectivity between Hoj and Poosa, and Kimin and Potin.
In a representation to the chief minister, the NES stated that the citizens are in urgent need of rescue and relief and humanitarian attention.
Apprising the chief minister of the devastation caused by the calamity, the NES said flash floods in Poosa devastated homes, livestock, and key road links, leaving one dead and several missing and injured.
“The search-and-rescue operations to locate the missing persons must be intensified through inter-agency coordination and address the acute shortage of essential food commodities and life-saving materials, including medical care,” the representation said.
The NES urged the chief minister to direct the authorities concerned to deploy the required human resources, machinery, and expertise to double the search operations and retrieve the missing persons.
The NES also called for a long-term disaster management strategy using modern geo-meteorological technology and AI for hazard mapping, early warning, and better inter-agency coordination to prevent or reduce future losses.
The society said that, with both Hoj-Poosa highway and the alternative road from Kimin to Potin damaged at several locations, immediate restoration is imperative to enable the deployment of the required human resources, strengthen the rescue and relief operation effectively, and establish an interim relief centre at the location with dedicated trauma-comfort provisions until life returns to normalcy.
“It is expedient to state that a seamless, integrated effort by inter-agency or interdepartmental teams may be pressed into service, so that affected citizens are not made to run from one department or agency to another for any humanitarian relief and rehabilitation assistance,” the NES said.
The NES said that clear ownership for faster rescue and relief response is a prerequisite for better coordination of timely action, which is crucial to mitigate the suffering of the affected citizens.
The society urged the CM to mitigate citizens’ hardship, address the case in a mission-mode manner, and ensure close monitoring at the highest level for the smooth and effective delivery system on the ground, given the magnitude of the natural calamity.
CoSAAP mourns loss of lives in flash flood, seeks support for victims
Meanwhile, the Confederation of Service Associations of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP) has expressed heartfelt condolences over the tragic loss of human lives caused by the unprecedented flash flood that struck Poosa village in Yazali circle of Keyi Panyor district on 24 June.
The devastating flash flood, reportedly triggered by a cloudburst, has caused immense human suffering and widespread destruction, leaving the entire area grief-stricken.
“CoSAAP offers its sincere prayers for the eternal peace of the departed souls. And may the almighty god grant them everlasting rest and bestow strength, courage, and comfort upon the bereaved families to endure this irreparable loss during this most difficult time,” CoSAAP president Likha Tech stated in a condolence message.
The tragedy has claimed human lives and caused extensive damage to homes, livestock, agricultural fields, public infrastructure, and livelihoods, leaving many families homeless, vulnerable, and struggling to rebuild their lives. “At this critical juncture, our brothers and sisters of Poosa village need our collective support, compassion, and generosity more than ever,” Tech said.
“As members of the employees’ fraternity and responsible citizens, let us come together in the true spirit of humanity, compassion, and social responsibility to extend every possible assistance to the affected families. Our collective efforts can help alleviate their suffering, restore hope, and support them in rebuilding their lives with dignity and resilience,” he added.
“On behalf of the employees’ fraternity of Arunachal Pradesh, I earnestly appeal to all government employees, those serving in Keyi Panyor district and those hailing from the district, irrespective of their present place of posting, to come forward and contribute generously, either in cash or in kind, according to their capacity,” Tech said, and sought support and cooperation of every government employee in this regard.
Those willing to extend financial assistance have been requested to contribute through the bank account number or QR code provided by the CoSAAP’s Keyi Panyor district unit. The entire amount collected shall be deposited into the Deputy Commissioner’s Relief Fund, Keyi Panyor district, for the relief, rehabilitation, and welfare of the affected families, Tech said.
He also urged the president and the general secretary of the CoSAAP’s Keyi Panyor district unit to coordinate with all HoDs within the district to ensure effective mobilisation and collection of relief assistance.
“Together, let us bring relief to the distressed, restore hope to the affected, and help rebuild lives with compassion, unity, and humanity,” Tech said. (With PTI input)
