Rescue teams in Arunachal Pradesh have recovered the body of a school teacher while continuing intensive operations to locate four missing individuals following a destructive flash flood and debris flow in Keyi Panyor district. The monsoon-triggered disaster has caused significant damage to residential areas and infrastructure in the region.
Recovery and Ongoing Search Efforts
The body of Nirmala Gupta, a 35-year-old teacher at Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV), NEEPCO, Yazali, was found on June 24 during search and rescue operations in the NEEPCO Colony area. The incident occurred after heavy rainfall led to a massive debris flow in the Panyor River catchment.
The four individuals still missing are identified as Elesh Marak (13), Balari Marak (30), Tao Anjina (46), and Sourav Kumar. Multi-agency teams comprising the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, Fire and Emergency Services, and district administration personnel are actively searching affected zones and downstream areas.
Impact on NEEPCO Colony and Local Communities
The flash flood washed away several houses, damaged critical infrastructure, and displaced multiple families in the colony. Rescue workers also successfully saved Bishu Sinha from the Yazali reservoir and a Geological Survey of India (GSI) scientist from the Itanagar–Hoj–Yazali highway stretch during the operation.
Widespread Connectivity Disruptions
The disaster has severely affected road networks across six western districts of Arunachal Pradesh, including Upper Subansiri, Kamle, Lower Subansiri, Kurung Kumey, Kra Daadi, and Keyi Panyor. Major landslides have blocked key routes such as the Kimin road and sections of the Itanagar–Hoj–Yazali National Highway. Connectivity through the Hoj bridge linking Pakke Kessang and East Kameng districts has also been impacted.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the state Highway Department have deployed teams to clear debris and restore essential road links at the earliest.
Safety Advisory for Residents
Authorities have urged people to avoid non-essential travel in the affected areas, remain alert to official updates, and cooperate with ongoing rescue and restoration efforts. The situation remains dynamic as teams work tirelessly to account for all missing persons and mitigate further risks.
#ArunachalFlood #FlashFlood #SearchRescue #KeyiPanyor #NDRFOperation
