Flash floods and landslides triggered by relentless monsoon rains have affected thousands of people across 12 of Arunachal Pradesh's 28 districts, with the death toll rising to three since the rains began on June 23, officials confirmed on Monday, 29 June. The worst-affected area remains Keyi Panyor district, where rescuers recovered the body of a 48-year-old man on Sunday, bringing the cumulative toll to three.

The Victims and the Missing

The third victim was identified as Saurabh Kumar Kharwar, 48, whose body was recovered near Hawa Camp in the adjoining Papum Pare district. Earlier, the bodies of a 35-year-old woman and another woman were recovered on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively. Two people, including a minor, remain missing. Around 20 houses and residential structures were damaged after flash floods battered the Yazali circle of Keyi Panyor district. Authorities noted that the exact casualty count across all 12 districts has not yet been officially confirmed, as verification of details from affected areas is still ongoing.

Government Response and Review

Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday chaired a virtual review meeting on the flood situation, joined by Chief Secretary Manish Gupta, Director General of Police Dr S.D. Singh Jamwal, and senior officials. The meeting focused on Deputy Commissioners of Kurung Kumey, Kra Daadi, Lower Subansiri, Keyi Panyor, and Kamle districts.

In a post on social media, Khandu said: “We reviewed the ongoing relief, rescue, road restoration, medical response and the availability of essential supplies, while discussing measures to ensure timely assistance and the early restoration of normalcy. The Government remains committed to extending all possible support to the affected communities.”

Khandu also cited an India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast warning of widespread rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning across Arunachal Pradesh until 1 July, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in several districts. He urged residents to avoid travel to landslide- and flood-prone areas and follow local administration advisories.

Relief Operations on the Ground

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) restored the crucial Kimin-Potin road within 36 hours after torrential rains, flash floods, and landslides caused widespread damage across Keyi Panyor and Papum Pare districts. According to Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, incessant rainfall triggered multiple landslides and major formation breaches along the 45-km road stretch, washing away sections and burying portions under mud, boulders, and uprooted trees. The disruption had snapped connectivity to key locations including Potin, Yazali, Yachuli, Joram, and Ziro.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter was deployed on 25 June to airlift relief materials, including a rescue boat, and transport National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel to flood-hit Keyi Panyor. Rescue operations remain active across all 12 affected districts, where floods and landslides have damaged roads, bridges, and homes, and disrupted surface connectivity.

Districts Under Stress

The districts most severely affected include Keyi Panyor, Papum Pare, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Lower Subansiri, Kamle, Upper Subansiri, East Siang, Leparada, and Lower Siang. This comes amid the broader pattern of escalating monsoon damage in the northeastern states, where steep terrain and fragile road infrastructure amplify flood impact every year. With the IMD warning of continued heavy rainfall through 1 July, the situation is expected to remain critical in the days ahead.