Assam is on high alert as reports of heavy rainfall and flash floods in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Subansiri district have raised concerns about rising water levels in downstream districts over the next two days. The Assam government stated that the situation is being closely monitored following intense rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Subansiri basin, leading to a significant increase in river discharge.
According to data from the Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati and the Meteorological Centre in Itanagar, the Yazali station in Lower Subansiri recorded 72.8 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, with a major portion occurring between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Satellite and radar imagery revealed that torrential rain between 6 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. caused flash floods and a sudden rise in river flow.
Flash floods were observed in the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project area, previously known as the Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project. In response to the increased inflow, operational measures were taken, including the opening of one spillway gate to release excess water. Reports from Yazali indicated that flash floods, along with debris flow, caused damage to houses and infrastructure in the affected areas.
Authorities have warned that districts like Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, and Sonitpur are expected to be impacted first by the flood wave before it progresses downstream towards western Assam, reaching Dhubri within the next one to two days. Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, following Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s directives, has reviewed the situation and instructed all relevant agencies to maintain maximum alertness and readiness.
District administrations have been advised to stay vigilant, while teams from the SDRF, NDRF, and other emergency response units are prepared for deployment. Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas are urged to stay alert, avoid flooded zones, and refrain from using country boats and small vessels due to anticipated intensified river currents.
