The helicopter operation has also been used for medical emergencies and passenger evacuation.

Arunachal Pradesh Intensifies Flood Relief With Emergency Helicopter Missions to Reach Cut-Off Villages

The Arunachal Pradesh government has expanded its flood relief operations by deploying emergency helicopter services to deliver essential supplies and evacuate residents stranded in remote parts of Lower Siang district after severe floods and landslides disrupted road connectivity.

With multiple roads and bridges damaged by continuous rainfall, authorities launched aerial relief missions to ensure isolated communities continue receiving food, medical assistance, and emergency support.

The helicopter operation has also been used for medical emergencies and passenger evacuation.

A Skyone Airways Mi-172 helicopter has been operating on the Pasighat-Koyu route, transporting food grains to villages that remain inaccessible by road. During the initial phase of the operation, the helicopter completed four sorties and delivered approximately 11.5 metric tonnes of rice, equivalent to 230 bags, for distribution among affected families.

Officials said the helicopter has also been used for emergency medical evacuations. Four patients requiring urgent treatment were airlifted from Koyu to Pasighat, while 91 passengers from remote locations, including Daporijo, Koloriang, and Ziro, were safely evacuated.

Several villages, including Rotte, Rame, Loglu, Lipin, Mane, Tene, Sipu, Kakki, Kadu, Rina, Sido, and Korang, remain isolated after flash floods washed away roads and weakened bridges across the district.

In areas where roads have been completely destroyed, local authorities have also arranged alternative transport methods, including the use of elephants to move fuel and other essential supplies to affected communities. Assistant Commissioner Marngam Kakki Moyong is overseeing relief efforts in Koyu.

The emergency response is being coordinated by the Department of Civil Aviation in collaboration with the departments of Disaster Management, Food and Civil Supplies, Health and Family Welfare, and Police. District administrations in Lower Siang and East Siang, along with the Indian Air Force and other agencies, remain on standby to strengthen ongoing rescue and relief operations.

The state government said the relief initiative is being carried out under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, with support from Civil Aviation Minister Balo Raja, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Gabriel D Wangsu, and Nari-Koyu MLA Tojir Kadu.

Meanwhile, road restoration work has commenced on the Likabali-Basar-Bame section of the Akajan-Likabali-Bame Road after a major landslide near Brahmaputra View at Garu blocked traffic. Authorities have imposed temporary traffic restrictions to facilitate debris removal and ensure commuter safety.

Officials noted that the route serves as a critical transport corridor connecting several border districts and plays an important role in the movement of security personnel, essential commodities, and emergency supplies across the region.