Assam on high alert after flash floods in Arunachal Pradesh
The Assam government has issued a high alert after extremely heavy rainfall and flash floods were reported in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Subansiri district, potentially impacting
The Assam government has issued a high alert after extremely heavy rainfall and flash floods were reported in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Subansiri district, potentially impacting several districts of Assam downstream. According to information received from Guwahati’s Regional Meteorological Centre and the Meteorological Centre in Itanagar, Lower Subansiri’s Yazali recorded 72.8 mm of rainfall during the last 24 hours, mostly between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Wednesday (June 24, 2026). “The high volume of rainfall resulted in flash floods and a substantial increase in river discharge in the upper catchment areas,” an Assam government statement said.
“Flash floods have been reported in the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project (formerly Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project) area. Owing to the sudden increase in inflows, operational measures were undertaken, and one spillway gate was opened to release excess water,” the statement read. “Reports from Yazali indicate that flash floods accompanied by debris flow have caused damage to houses and infrastructure in the affected areas. In view of the heavy rainfall in the upper catchments and the increased river flows, a substantial rise in water levels and flow velocity in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries is anticipated in downstream areas of Assam,” the statement further said.
The districts expected to be affected include Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, and Sonitpur. “The situation is being monitored at the highest level in the State. District administrations and line departments in districts likely to be affected have been asked to maintain close vigilance and take timely preventive and response measures,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. An Assam government spokesperson said teams of the Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other emergency response agencies are being kept ready for deployment, and field-level officers have been directed to closely monitor river conditions and vulnerable locations.
He said citizens in the high-risk districts have been advised not to venture into inundated areas and to avoid travelling by country boats and other small vessels across the Brahmaputra and other rivers during this period, as river currents are expected to increase considerably.