Arunachal Landslide Blocks Siji River, Flash Flood Warning for Assam
A massive landslide triggered by heavy rainfall has blocked the flow of the Siji river in Arunachal Pradesh's Lower Siang district, raising concerns about a potential flash flood that could affect downstream areas in Assam, officials said on Sunday.
The debris dammed the river at the Siji-Magi Block Point, creating an artificial lake. District authorities warned that continued rainfall could cause the natural dam to give way, leading to a sudden flood. The site is located a few miles upstream of Likabali town, near the border with Assam.
"We have advised people in the downstream areas to remain alert, as there is a possibility of a powerful flash flood without warning if the artificial dam breaks. Such an event could endanger lives, homes, livestock, roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure downstream," an official said.
Residents have been advised to stay away from riverbanks, avoid unnecessary movement near the river, evacuate low-lying and flood-prone areas if instructed by authorities, and be prepared to move to safer locations at short notice. They have also been urged to immediately report any sudden rise in water level, unusual sounds, or signs of the blockage weakening to the nearest administrative or police authority.
In Assam's Dhemaji district, already affected by flooding, officials reported that 15,483 people across 69 villages in four revenue circles — Jonai, Sissiborgaon, Dhemaji, and Gogamukh — have been impacted. A railway bridge over the Simen river has collapsed, an iron bridge has been washed away, and embankment erosion has been reported along critical stretches of National Highway 52.
Meanwhile, rescue teams continue to search for three missing persons, including a minor, who went missing after a flash flood hit a hydropower project colony in Arunachal's Keyi Panyor district on June 24. The bodies of two victims have been recovered.
On a positive note, personnel from the Border Roads Organisation restored the Kimin-Potin Road within 36 hours after torrential rains, flash floods, and landslides caused extensive damage in Keyi Panyor and Papum Pare districts. The road, a vital link for five districts, had been blocked by multiple landslides and breaches along a 45-km stretch, cutting off connectivity to strategic locations including Potin, Yazali, Yachuli, Joram, and Ziro.
