Itanagar, Jun 27: The North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) has clarified that the flash flood that devastated the residential colony of the Panyor Lower Hydro Electric Project in Keyi Panyor district on June 24 was caused by localized heavy rainfall and was not related to the operation of the project’s reservoir or power house.
In a statement, NEEPCO said the incident occurred around 6:30 am following intense rainfall that began at about 3 am over a small catchment area near the project site. The heavy downpour caused two streams near the administrative and dam site colony to overflow, washing away 24 residential buildings and damaging several others.
The Corporation stated that one person lost her life while four others were initially reported missing. Rescue and relief operations were immediately launched jointly by the district administration, SDRF, Indian Air Force, the state government and NEEPCO, including the airlifting of injured persons.
NEEPCO maintained that its Early Warning System (EWS) for rainfall and reservoir inflow forecasting did not record any abnormal rainfall or high discharge from upstream areas during the period.
According to the Corporation’s preliminary assessment, the flash flood resulted from highly localized rainfall and not from any sudden release or increase of water flow from the river upstream. It further emphasized that the reservoir and powerhouse operations had no role in the incident and that no downstream impacts related to project operations were reported.
The clarification comes amid widespread concern following the flash flood, which caused extensive damage to the NEEPCO colony and surrounding areas. Rescue, relief and restoration works are continuing in the affected region as authorities assess the full extent of the damage and assist affected families.
The Corporation expressed its commitment to supporting ongoing relief efforts and coordinating with the state government and district authorities in the aftermath of the disaster.