Itanagar, Jun 25: Search and rescue operations for the four persons missing in the devastating flash flood at Poosa under Yazali Circle in Keyi Panyor district entered the second day on Thursday, with rescue teams continuing extensive searches despite challenging terrain and weather conditions.
According to the Keyi Panyor District Administration, search operations resumed at 6:30 am and involved personnel from the SDRF, Police, NEEPCO, ex-servicemen and local volunteers. The Superintendent of Police personally supervised the operation on the ground. However, despite intensive efforts throughout the day, the missing persons could not be traced, and the operation was suspended at 5:30 pm due to fading daylight. Search efforts will resume at 6 am on Friday.
To bolster the rescue operation, an Indian Air Force helicopter deployed SDRF personnel and rescue equipment at Pitapool, while Civil Aviation helicopters conducted multiple sorties for deployment, evacuation and relief activities. During the day, stranded tourists, a cancer patient and a severely injured flood victim were airlifted to safer locations and medical facilities. The mortal remains of flood victim, Nirmala Gupta (35), were also airlifted to Naharlagun.
Meanwhile, restoration of road connectivity made significant progress. Three excavators and a JCB were deployed for debris clearance from the Pitapool side. The first major landslide obstruction was cleared by noon, restoring access to the NEEPCO project area and facilitating the movement of relief materials and personnel.
The Poosa–Ziro road has been restored for one-lane traffic, while the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is working to reopen the Kimin–Potin stretch, subject to favourable weather conditions.
The District Administration (DA) issued advisories urging the public to avoid landslide-prone stretches and use alternative routes while restoration works continue. Fuel supplies have also been prioritized for agencies involved in emergency response and infrastructure restoration.
Relief operations remained underway with essential supplies, including rice, drinking water, pulses, sugar and LPG cylinders, being distributed to affected residents and relief camps. PHED also restored temporary water supply to key locations, including the Government Secondary School at Pitapool, where SDRF personnel are stationed.
According to NEEPCO, the flash flood has severely impacted residential infrastructure within the project area. A total of 54 residential quarters comprising 108 dwelling units were affected, of which 20 quarters were reportedly washed away.
As of Thursday evening, one death had been confirmed and four persons remained missing. The missing have been identified as Alise K Marak, Olyn Synkli, Tao Anjini and Sourav Kumar.
The DA said it remains fully engaged in coordinating search and rescue, relief, rehabilitation and restoration efforts in close coordination with all responding agencies.