Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh remained on alert for further heavy rainfall on Thursday after days of incessant rain triggered flash floods and landslides across the state, leaving a trail of destruction and disruption.
The ongoing spell of severe weather has claimed seven lives, injured 29 people and affected 1,49,378 residents across 25 districts of the northeastern state, officials said.
The weather department forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and very heavy rainfall at isolated locations in East Kameng on Thursday, raising concerns over the possibility of further flooding and landslides.
Similar conditions are expected in isolated areas of Anjaw, Tirap and Longding districts, which have also been warned to remain vigilant as the adverse weather continues.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has advised residents in the affected areas to exercise caution, warning that intense rainfall could result in waterlogging in low-lying areas, trigger landslides and disrupt road connectivity.
A weather watch has also been issued for several other districts, including Tawang, West Kameng, Kurung Kumey, Upper Subansiri, Kamle, Kra Daadi, Lower Subansiri, Papum Pare, Pakke-Kessang, West Siang, Leparada, Lower Siang, Shi-Yomi, Dibang Valley, Lohit, Namsai and Changlang.
The weather alert is expected to continue into Friday, with Anjaw forecast to receive heavy rainfall, while Lower Siang and Papum Pare will remain under a watch for possible adverse weather conditions.
According to the forecast, weather conditions across the state are likely to gradually improve from Saturday, offering some respite after the prolonged spell of rain and related disasters.