A natural barrier, created by a landslide on the main stream of the Yarlung Tsangpo river upstream in China, has blocked the river's flow and prompted East Siang district administration in Arunachal Pradesh to issue an alert on Thursday about a possible flash flood in Siang river, similar to that of June 2000. The landslide occurred in the wee hours of October 17 and as per Chinese media reports.
The Ministry of Water Resources in China shared information on the developments with the Indian government, and the Indian government apprised the Arunachal Pradesh government about the ground situation.
"The landslides blocked the Milin section of the mainstream of Brahmaputra River/Yarlung Zangbo River from late October 16 and will have an impact on the water situation of the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo river," the Arunachal government was informed.
According district authorities and residents of Pasighat, water levels in Siang, as the river is called in Arunachal, have reduced over the past 48 hours. The advisory said, "In view of the above situation, the blockade caused by the landslide at Yarlung Tsangpo may burst at any time causing sudden flash flood in the downstream areas and many cause loss of life and property as it happened on June 11, 2000."
In June 2000, similar conditions caused a flash flood and caused devastation downstream in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, killing more than 100 people.
After Landslide
The water level in Arunachal's Siang river had decreased after a natural barricade blocked the main water stream coming from China due to a landslide. The blockade may burst leading to flash flood in the area.
