The Center on Wednesday assured Arunachal Pradesh of full support for long-term relief, rehabilitation and flood mitigation operations, as the death toll due to floods and landslides rose to four, with 90,499 people affected across the state since June 24.
Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Kiren Rijiju, who visited the flood-hit Kei Paniyur district along with Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday, said the Center will work closely with the state government to restore normalcy and rebuild the damaged infrastructure.
Khandu described the devastation caused by the Sibu Korong River floods as “huge” and said the state government would prepare a permanent flood protection plan for the river basin in coordination with the Centre.
According to the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), 90,499 people in 251 villages have been affected by floods and landslides caused by persistent heavy rainfall. The disaster resulted in 21 people being injured, while two people are still missing.
Chauhan said that the center will provide assistance to the state in the field of relief and rehabilitation. Rijiju, Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh, said the Center remains committed to supporting affected communities and stressed the need for permanent engineering measures to address recurring flood damage rather than temporary interventions.
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Chouhan also met Governor KT Parnaik at Raj Bhavan, where discussions centered on flood recovery, rebuilding infrastructure and strengthening the agriculture sector. The governor highlighted the massive damage caused by the floods and requested continued central assistance to restore livelihoods, irrigation systems, rural connectivity and public infrastructure.
The flood situation remains critical in many areas. In Lower Siang, Koyo village remains completely isolated after roads, bridges and canals were washed away, cutting off 14 villages. The district administration has requested helicopter support to transport food grains and other essential supplies to the stranded residents.
In the Liparada region, 10 villages in the Dare Department suffered severe damage, while the village of Eche remains inaccessible due to damaged roads. Restoration work is underway, and the reopening of Panjin Road has improved connectivity to parts of the area.
Officials said Kyi Panyur remains among the worst-hit areas, while Upper Siang District recorded the highest number of affected people. Widespread damage was also reported in East Siang, Babum Bari, Kra Dadi, Korong Kume, Lower Subansiri, Kamli, Upper Subansiri, Leparada, Lower Siang, Lower Dibang Valley and Angau.
Rescue and relief operations are being carried out by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Air Force, district administrations and local volunteers.
Of the four deaths reported so far, three deaths occurred in floods that struck Bussa in Kyi-Banior district on June 24, while one person died after a landslide hit Sarti village in Angaw district on June 28.
