Arunachal Flood Toll Rises to 3 as IAF Rescues Stranded Residents

Heavy monsoon rains continued to lash Arunachal Pradesh on Monday, triggering floods, flash floods and landslides across 12 districts , with the death toll rising to three and rescue operations continuing for two people still missing in Keyi Panyor district .

The latest victim, Saurabh Kumar Kharwar , was among five people swept away when a flash flood devastated the NEEPCO colony at Poosa last week. Two women had been found earlier, while search teams entered the sixth day of operations for the remaining missing persons.

In Lower Dibang Valley , an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter rescued four people stranded on an island in the Sisiri River near Dambuk. In a separate operation, 11 people , including seven local rescuers and four stranded fishermen, were safely rescued after a raft overturned in floodwaters.

The relentless rain has severely damaged roads, bridges and homes. East Siang district remains among the worst affected, with nine major roads blocked or unsafe , several houses inundated and families shifted to safer locations. The Roing-Anini road in Lower Dibang Valley has suffered extensive damage, while an excavator operator is feared trapped after a massive rockfall near Sarti village in Anjaw district .

Authorities also reported a dramatic landslide in Lower Siang , where a motorcyclist narrowly survived after being swept down a slope with his motorcycle.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning over East Siang, Leparada, Lower Siang, Lower Subansiri and Papum Pare districts. Authorities have urged residents to avoid flood- and landslide-prone areas as relief and rescue operations continue across the state.