Heavy rain, cloudbursts and flash floods continued to batter Arunachal Pradesh and adjoining parts of Assam on Monday, washing away bridges, triggering landslides and cutting off road and rail connectivity in several areas.
In Arunachal Pradesh, a 300-metre iron bridge over the Kemi/Kemey river, connecting Kemi and Oyan, was swept away by raging floodwaters, severing access between the Kemi-Purana Jelom area and Jonai Sadar. The river, a tributary linked to the Brahmaputra system, flows from the Arunachal foothills towards Assam’s Dhemaji district. Visuals showed powerful floodwaters tearing through the crossing, underlining the intensity of the deluge.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu to review the situation and assured all possible assistance from the Centre. He also spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after Dhemaji emerged as one of the worst-hit districts.
In Arunachal’s Keyi Panyor district, the toll from recent flash floods rose to three after the body of a missing victim was recovered. The district administration has formed a verification committee to assess damage to homes and property, while restoration work continues amid persistent rain. Survivors from the NEEPCO Colony near Possa village said homes, belongings and livelihoods were swept away within minutes.
The East Kameng administration has issued a weather advisory warning of thunderstorms, lightning and heavy rain from June 28 to July 1, citing the IMD forecast. Residents have been asked to avoid landslide-prone areas, rivers and streams, and unnecessary travel. Departments have been put on alert, with emergency helplines activated.
The impact has spilled into Assam, where the first wave of floods has affected more than 22,000 people across six districts, with Dhemaji the worst hit, according to ASDMA figures reported on Monday. Floodwaters have inundated 96 villages, damaged around 1,690 hectares of crop area and affected more than 48,000 animals. The Disang river was also flowing above the danger mark at Nanglamuraghat in Sivasagar district.
Heavy rain in Arunachal also caused the Leku river to overflow, flooding Assam’s Jonai region. More than 100 families have been affected, with houses, farmland and livestock submerged. Flooding on National Highway 515 has disrupted connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, leaving vehicles stranded.
Rail services have also been hit after a bridge over the Simen river in Dhemaji partially collapsed due to bank erosion following heavy rainfall. Northeast Frontier Railway said no train or passenger was affected as services had already been suspended on the route. Train movement between Murkongselek and Silapathar will remain suspended until further notice, with help desks and bus arrangements made for stranded passengers.
Across the Northeast, heavy rain has triggered floods and landslides in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim and parts of north Bengal, disrupting normal life and prompting rescue and relief operations. Authorities have urged people in vulnerable and low-lying areas to remain alert as more rain is forecast.