Doomdooma: Fresh landslides triggered by incessant monsoon rains disrupted normal life in Arunachal Pradesh‘s West Kameng district on Sunday, affecting road connectivity and raising concerns over further weather-related disruptions.
Officials said continuous rainfall has saturated hill slopes, leading to mudslides and debris flows at several locations. The landslides have particularly affected stretches of the strategic Balipara-Charduar-Tawang (BCT) highway, an important route connecting the state’s border areas.
No casualties were reported from West Kameng till Sunday evening. However, authorities remain on alert as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms across the district and other parts of Arunachal Pradesh over the coming days.
The latest landslides come amid a prolonged monsoon spell that has caused widespread damage across the state since late June. According to official estimates, more than 94,000 people in 26 districts have been affected by floods and landslides. At least seven people have lost their lives in separate rain-related incidents reported from districts including Keyi Panyor, Anjaw and Lower Siang, while several others remain missing.
The heavy rains have also damaged roads and bridges, blocked highways and inundated agricultural land in several districts.
In West Kameng, teams from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the district administration have been deployed to clear debris and restore traffic on affected roads. Restoration work is underway, although officials said it may take time before normal movement is fully restored.
The district administration has advised residents, particularly those living in vulnerable hilly and low-lying areas, to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel on landslide-prone routes and follow official advisories.
The State Disaster Management Authority is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with central agencies, while the IMD has warned that continued heavy rainfall could trigger more landslides and flash floods in West Kameng and neighbouring districts through the middle of the week.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has conducted aerial surveys of flood- and landslide-affected areas and directed officials to ensure timely relief and restoration measures as the state continues to battle the impact of the ongoing monsoon.