Arunachal Pradesh Launches Emergency Helicopter Flood Relief

Arunachal Pradesh launched emergency helicopter operations on 4 July 2026 to airlift food and medical supplies to flood-hit villages in Lower Siang district. The operation used a state-owned Skyone Airways Mi-172 helicopter to move relief materials from Pasighat Advanced Landing Ground in East Siang district to Koyu helipad in Lower Siang district.

Flood Relief and Air Evacuation

The helicopter departed Naharlagun at 8 AM on 4 July 2026 and reached Koyu helipad within an hour. A total of 11.5 metric tonnes of Public Distribution System rice was airlifted to villages in Koyu Circle, and four patients were evacuated from Koyu to Pasighat on the same day.

Affected Villages and Connectivity

Villages such as Rotte, Rame, Loglu, Lipin, Mane, Tene, Sipu, Kakki, Kadu, Rina, Sido, and Korang in Lower Siang district were cut off by flash floods and landslides. Collapsed bridges and road blockades disrupted surface transport in the district.

Administrative and Weather Context

The Civil Aviation Department, district administrations, disaster management authorities, and food safety officials in Itanagar, Pasighat, Likabali, and Nari coordinated the offloading and distribution of relief packages. As of 5 July 2026, the flood situation in Arunachal Pradesh had improved, with one fresh incident in Keyi Panyor district and no new casualties in the previous 24 hours.

Important Facts for Exams

• Mi-172 is a medium-lift helicopter variant used for transport and relief operations.
• Pasighat Advanced Landing Ground is located in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Public Distribution System rice is a food grain supplied through India’s welfare distribution network.
• The India Meteorological Department uses colour-coded alerts, including yellow alert, for weather warnings.

Weather Alert and Disaster Response

The India Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning in parts of eastern and central Arunachal Pradesh from 6 July 2026. Helicopter-based relief operations are used in India when roads, bridges, and surface routes remain inaccessible during floods and landslides.