The Assam government has stepped up monitoring and preparedness measures following flash floods in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, warning that rising river levels could impact several downstream districts over the next two days.
According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of Arunachal Pradesh is expected to cause a substantial rise in water levels and flow velocity in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries as the flood wave moves downstream into Assam.
Authorities said the surge is likely to affect Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath and Sonitpur districts before travelling further downstream towards other parts of the state, eventually reaching Dhubri.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed Chief Secretary Ravi Kota and senior officials to remain on maximum alert and ensure all necessary preparedness measures are in place.
District administrations in potentially affected areas have been instructed to maintain close vigilance and take timely preventive and response measures. Teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other emergency agencies have been kept ready for deployment.
Field-level officers have also been directed to closely monitor river conditions and vulnerable locations.
Also read: 3 missing as flash floods, landslides hit Arunachal
The government has advised residents living in low-lying and flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and move to safer locations if necessary. People have also been urged not to venture into inundated areas or travel in country boats and small vessels, as river currents are expected to strengthen considerably.
The advisory follows reports of flash floods in Arunachal Pradesh’s Yazali area, where intense rainfall triggered a sudden increase in river discharge.
According to inputs from the Regional Meteorological Centres in Guwahati and Itanagar, the Yazali station recorded around 72.8 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, with most of it occurring between 6 am and 9 am on Wednesday.
Satellite and radar imagery indicated torrential rainfall between 6 am and 7.30 am, resulting in flash floods and a sharp rise in water flow in upper catchment areas.
Authorities said flash floods were reported in the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project area, formerly known as the Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project. One spillway gate was opened to release excess water following a sudden increase in inflows.
Reports from Yazali indicated that floodwaters and debris flows damaged houses and infrastructure in the affected areas.
The Assam government said it would continue coordinating with district administrations and relevant agencies while issuing advisories and updates as required.
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