Raft Flips During Arunachal Floods Rescue Op, 9 Pulled To Safety

Nine people, including the village headman, who had gone missing after flash flood conditions developed in the Sisiri River in Arunachal Pradesh's Lower Dibang Valley district, have now been rescued safely, officials said on Monday.

The rescue operation concluded after personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local administration, Indian Air Force and local villagers carried out an intensive search operation over two days.

According to officials, the incident began on Saturday when four people became stranded while fishing in the Sisiri River near Dambuk after the water level rose suddenly.

A seven-member local rescue team headed to the spot on an inflatable raft and successfully rescued three of the stranded fishermen. However, while returning, the raft capsized after encountering strong currents.

Five people managed to swim ashore immediately after the raft overturned, while the remaining five were swept away by the fast-flowing river.

Rescue teams later traced two of them on a river island, while another was found clinging to a log in the middle of the river. NDRF personnel rescued the individual trapped on the log, and two others were brought to safety later on Saturday night.

The final two stranded persons, including a village headman, were rescued safely on Monday, bringing the operation to a successful conclusion.

"Four people had gone fishing in the Sisiri River and got stranded after the water level rose. A local rescue team went to rescue them through rafting. They rescued three people but could not trace the fourth. While returning, their raft capsized, and everyone fell into the river. Five managed to swim to safety, while the remaining were stranded. Today, the remaining people, including the Gaon Burah, were rescued successfully," an official said.

The official thanked the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Air Force, district administration and local villagers for their support during the rescue operation.

The rescued headman said he had gone fishing alone early on Saturday morning when the river suddenly swelled.

"I went fishing alone at around 6.30 am on Saturday. Around 8.30 am, the water level of the Sisiri River rose suddenly, and I got stranded. I asked my son to bring an elephant so I could return, but that could not happen," he said.

Dambuk MLA Puinnyo Apum, who travelled directly from Itanagar to monitor the rescue operation, praised the coordinated efforts of all agencies.

"When I heard the news, I was in Itanagar. I came directly to Dambuk to take stock of the situation. The rescue operation was already underway, and everybody has now been rescued safely," he said.

Meanwhile, the death count from rain-triggered flash floods in Arunachal Pradesh's Keyi Panyor district has risen to three after another body was recovered from neighbouring Papum Pare district.

Torrential monsoon rains and cloudbursts have also caused widespread flooding and landslides across East Siang and Leparada districts.

In East Siang, nine major road links remain blocked or washed away, according to the district administration. Out of 11 critical routes under monitoring, only the Terong-Korong-Mebo Road and the JNC Lower Campus to Upper Campus Road have been reopened.

The India Meteorological Department has warned of continued heavy rainfall across Arunachal Pradesh and advised people to avoid unnecessary travel.

Several key roads, including the Pasighat-Pangin, Mariyang-Yingkiong and Mebo-Dambuk-Bomjir routes, remain blocked due to landslides and mudslides.

Authorities have also reported severe damage to the Pasighat-Runne-Takilalug Road after part of the Letong Bridge was washed away. The Pasighat-Yagrung-Ledum-Tene (PLT) Road also remains closed until further notice.

District authorities have urged residents to stay away from landslide-prone slopes, overflowing rivers and other vulnerable areas. Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear debris, although restoration work continues to be hampered by persistent rainfall.

A travel advisory issued by the Pasighat Highway Division has also warned of severe disruptions on National Highway 13 between Rengging and Yembung due to rockfalls and land subsidence. Authorities have advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel, drive only during daylight hours and refrain from parking vehicles in active landslide zones.