Overview
- The flash floods struck Keyi Panyor on Wednesday after Yazali recorded about 72.8 mm of rain in 24 hours, with the heaviest fall between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m., triggering sudden debris flows that washed away homes and a bridge.
- Search and rescue teams recovered one body, at least 17 people were injured and officials report between three and five people remain unaccounted for as searches continue under difficult conditions.
- NEEPCO opened a spillway gate and suspended power generation at the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project to release excess inflow, while SDRF teams are operating on site and NDRF and IAF support have been mobilised but have been hampered by landslides and a damaged helipad.
- The Assam government has issued a high alert and warned that a flood wave from increased upstream discharge could first affect Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath and Sonitpur within 24 to 48 hours, with officials monitoring river flows and readying SDRF, NDRF and local teams.
- Short, intense rainfall over steep Himalayan catchments causes rapid runoff and debris flows that can isolate communities by washing away roads and bridges, so authorities are focused on restoring access, treating the injured and tracking downstream river rises for the next two days.