Monsoon fury batters Arunachal; IAF rescues stranded people, flood toll at three

Heavy monsoon rains continued to wreak havoc in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday, June 29, 2026; Floods and landslides have damaged roads, bridges and homes, claiming lives, and rescue operations are ongoing in many areas as connectivity has been disrupted in at least 12 districts.

In the Lower Dibang Valley region, four people who were stranded on an island in the Sisiri River in Dambuk district on Monday, June 29, 2026, were rescued by an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter.

Monsoon tracker updates on June 29, 2026

Heavy rains also caused serious damage to the Roing-Anini road in the Lower Dibang Valley region; Flash floods washed out roads and bridges in many places.

In Anjaw district, it is feared that an excavator operator lost his life as a result of the vehicle performing highway construction towards Walong near Sarti village on Sunday night, June 28, 2026, when it was hit by a giant rock.

Rescue operations were suspended overnight due to poor visibility and the risk of further rockfall and resumed in the early hours of Monday, 29 June 2026.

Police from Walong Police Station and Hawaii Police Station assisted in the operation, while the affected road was closed to traffic until debris clearance was completed. The operator’s status has not yet been officially confirmed.

East Xiang district is on high alert as incessant rain has triggered landslides, flash floods and collapse of roads, severely affecting connectivity.

While only two of the 11 major roads that were attacked have reopened, nine remain closed or unsafe, including Pasighat-Pangin, Pasighat-Mariyang-Yingkiong, Pasighat-Mebo-Dambuk-Bomjir, Bilat-Ledum and Pasighat-Yagrung-Ledum-Tene roads.

An official report stated that the road approaching the Letong Bridge on the Pasighat-Runne-Takilalung road from the left side was flooded, while the roads near Balek Secondary School, Ranaghat Bridge and the Poglek River crossing were impassable.

Flood waters flooded at least 10 houses in the Ledum region as a result of the river changing its direction due to continuous rains. A house was almost completely submerged, two cattle perished, a public toilet and a rice mill were also on the verge of being submerged. Three shops were also damaged.

While approximately 12 families were moved to safer places, the displaced took shelter in their relatives’ houses, and Dere was designated as a relief shelter.

Despite the loss of connectivity due to the collapse of a vital bridge, no casualties or casualties were reported.

In Lower Siang district, a major landslide at Siji blocked the flow of the Siji River near the Likabali checkpoint between Siji and Magi, causing water to accumulate upstream.

Authorities said that the cyclist, who was dragged downhill with his motorcycle as a result of a landslide in the region, miraculously survived.

Authorities warned of possible danger to the lower river areas and deployed police personnel to warn riverside residents to move to safer locations.

Officials later said the river resumed its normal flow Monday morning after the accumulated water receded.

Meanwhile, the search for two people who are still missing in the flood disaster that occurred in Keyi Panyor district last Wednesday entered its sixth day on Monday, June 29, 2026.

The death toll rose to three after Saurabh Kumar Kharwar’s body was found near Hawa Camp in neighboring Papum Pare district on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

Earlier, the bodies of a 35-year-old woman and another woman were found on Wednesday and Saturday respectively.

Five people were missing after flash floods devastated NEEPCO colony in Poosa, damaging houses, roads and triggering landslides. Preliminary estimates indicate that around 30 houses were completely damaged or flooded in the colony, while in Possa and Pitapool areas, 10 houses were destroyed and 14 houses were partially damaged.

In total, 128 households were affected and 60 displaced people are currently staying in a relief camp on the NEEPCO campus.

According to officials, the rain fury has so far affected Keyi Panyor, Papum Pare, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Lower Subansiri, Kamle, Upper Subansiri, East Siang, Leparada, Lower Siang, Lower Dibang Valley and Anjaw districts.

Relief and rescue operations have been intensified in the affected areas.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavier rain accompanied by thundershowers and lightning in East Siang and neighboring areas including Leparada, Lower Siang, Lower Subansiri and Papum Pare.

Authorities urged people to avoid driving through landslide-prone and flood-affected areas unless absolutely necessary and to follow official advice until the weather improves.

It was published – 29 June 2026 16:14 IST