Itanagar/Guwahati, June 24 (HS): Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday, leaving three persons unaccounted for, damaging infrastructure and prompting the Assam government to issue a high alert over the expected downstream impact on several districts.

Officials said floodwaters and landslides affected areas around the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) project at Poosa in Lower Subansiri district. At least 18 residential quarters were damaged and an under-construction retaining wall was washed away.

District authorities said three persons were reported missing, while rescue operations were hampered as road connectivity to the affected area was cut off from both the Yazali and Hoj-Potin sides due to multiple landslides. Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were attempting to reach the area on foot.

The NEEPCO powerhouse has been temporarily shut down and controlled water release from the dam has been initiated as a precautionary measure. Officials also reported damage to the project's helipad and warned that a bridge in the area had become structurally weak.

Meanwhile, the Assam government issued a high alert, warning of a possible flood wave in downstream districts, including Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath and Sonitpur, over the next one to two days.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh's upper catchment areas led to a sharp rise in river discharge, which could significantly increase water levels and flow velocity in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries in Assam.

The Assam government said the situation was being monitored at the highest level. SDRF, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other emergency agencies have been kept on standby, while district administrations have been directed to remain on maximum alert.

Residents of low-lying and flood-prone areas have been advised to remain vigilant and move to safer locations if necessary. Authorities have also cautioned people against venturing into flooded areas or using small boats in swollen rivers.

Floods have already affected around 35,000 people in Assam this season, while ferry services across the Brahmaputra in Guwahati have been suspended due to rising water levels.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar