NEEPCO rejects dam link to Arunachal flash flood, says localised cloudburst triggered disaster

GUWAHATI, June 27: North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) has ruled out any connection between the operation of its hydropower project and the devastating flash flood that struck Yazali in Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor district earlier this week, saying the disaster was triggered by an intense, highly localised cloudburst-like event.

The power utility said the flash flood that inundated the residential colony of the Panyor Lower Hydro Power Station on June 24 was caused by exceptionally heavy rainfall over a small catchment area near the project site and not by the release of water from the dam or reservoir operations.

According to NEEPCO, heavy rain began around 3 am and intensified over the next few hours, causing two small streams near the project’s administrative and dam-site colonies to overflow.

The sudden surge of water swept through the residential area at around 6.30 am, washing away homes and leaving a trail of destruction.

The corporation said at least 24 residential buildings were washed away or severely damaged in the flash flood. One person was killed, while four others remain missing despite intensive search operations involving the district administration, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Indian Air Force.

The disaster has also left several areas cut off, with roads and communication networks badly damaged by landslides and flooding.

NEEPCO said its Early Warning System (EWS), which continuously monitors rainfall and reservoir inflows, did not record any abnormal rise in water levels or discharge from the project during the period of the incident.

“Preliminary assessments indicate that the flash flood was the result of an intense localised rainfall event resembling a cloudburst and not due to any sudden increase in river flow from upstream or the operation of the hydroelectric project,” the corporation said.

The utility further clarified that there had been no adverse downstream impact linked to the operation of the dam or powerhouse.

Immediately after the disaster, NEEPCO, in coordination with the Arunachal Pradesh government, launched relief and rescue operations, including the evacuation and airlifting of injured persons.

The clarification comes amid speculation in some quarters over whether the flash flood was linked to hydropower operations.

Authorities, however, continue to focus on rescue efforts and restoration of connectivity in the disaster-hit district, where incessant rains and repeated landslides have hampered relief operations.

With four people still untraced more than 72 hours after the tragedy, search teams are racing against time as Arunachal Pradesh grapples with one of its worst monsoon-related disasters this year.

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