Search and rescue teams entered their second consecutive day on Thursday, 26 June 2025, combing the Poosa area of Arunachal Pradesh's Keyi Panyor district for four persons still unaccounted for after devastating flash floods struck the NEEPCO project colony near Poosa under the Yazali circle. The disaster, triggered by incessant rainfall since Tuesday, has already claimed one life, injured at least 20 people, and prompted Assam to sound a downstream high alert.

The Missing and the Recovered

Five persons were initially reported missing after floodwaters inundated the colony. On Wednesday afternoon, rescuers recovered the body of Nirmala Gupta (35), a teacher at Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV). The four still missing have been identified as Elesh Marak (13), Balari Marak (30), Tao Anjina (46), and Sourav Kumar (48). Authorities have not confirmed their status, and search operations remain active.

Scale of Damage on the Ground

At least 20 people sustained injuries of varying severity, with three reported to be in critical condition and shifted to a government hospital. Around 20 houses and residential units were damaged. Officials said an under-construction retaining wall collapsed under the weight of continuous rainfall, causing severe waterlogging in low-lying residential areas around the colony. Several goods-laden vehicles were also damaged or swept away in the affected zone.

The state-owned North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) has begun releasing water from the Ranganadi Dam as a precautionary measure in response to rising inflow levels. Power generation at the hydropower project has been temporarily suspended. Disaster management authorities have advised residents in vulnerable locations and along riverbanks to remain alert and avoid unnecessary movement.

What the Government Said

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, the Lok Sabha member from Arunachal Pradesh, expressed grief over the losses on Thursday. In a post on his official X account, Rijiju said, 'Deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the devastation caused by the floods and landslides in Keyi Panyor District in Arunachal Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured. The safety and well-being of our people remain our highest priority.' He added that 'rescue, relief and restoration efforts are underway, and every possible assistance is being extended to those affected.'

Assam Braces for Downstream Impact

The Assam government has issued a high alert across several districts, anticipating a significant rise in water levels in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries due to the upstream deluge in Arunachal Pradesh. The flood wave is expected to first affect Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, and Sonitpur districts before moving downstream, eventually reaching Dhubri within one to two days. Authorities said they are also closely monitoring developments in Lower Subansiri and adjoining areas, where extremely heavy rainfall has been recorded. The evolving situation, officials said, is being tracked at the highest level of the state government.

Broader Pattern of Destruction

This is not an isolated event. Mountainous Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed heavy rainfall over the past several days, triggering landslides, flash floods, and widespread damage to houses and infrastructure across multiple districts. The Keyi Panyor floods fit a recurring seasonal pattern in the Northeast, where upstream cloudbursts translate rapidly into downstream flood crises — a dynamic that makes inter-state coordination between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam critical every monsoon season.