The search operation for two people who went missing after the June 24 cloudburst in Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor district has been suspended after eight days, with authorities fearing that the victims were swept downstream by the swollen Subansiri River into Assam.
Keyi Panyor Superintendent of Police Angad Mehta said prolonged search efforts failed to trace the missing persons, prompting authorities to call off the rescue operation. Based on prevailing conditions and the river’s powerful current, officials believe the victims may have been carried far downstream.
The cloudburst triggered widespread devastation across the district, damaging roads, residential buildings and other infrastructure, which significantly hampered rescue and relief operations during the initial days.
The Superintendent of Police thanked the people of Keyi Panyor for their support during the crisis and praised local youth volunteers for their active participation in relief efforts. Volunteers helped distribute food, drinking water, medical supplies and other essential relief materials while assisting authorities in reaching affected communities.
Mehta said the first two days after the disaster were particularly difficult because damaged roads and infrastructure restricted access to several areas. Rescue efforts were also affected as all gates of the NEEPCO dam remained open for two days to release heavy inflows following the cloudburst, resulting in a strong downstream current.
Authorities have expressed gratitude to all government agencies, volunteers and local residents who assisted in the rescue and relief operations and said the situation in the affected areas continues to be monitored.
