Cloudburst aftermath continues to disrupt Arunachal connectivity, NH-13 restoration may take over a week

Days after the devastating cloudburst that struck Poosa in Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor district on June 24, large parts of the state continue to grapple with severe connectivity disruptions as restoration work remains underway on the damaged Hoj–Potin stretch of National Highway-13.

The impact of the extreme weather event continues to affect commuters and residents across several districts, with road access remaining critically constrained. The cloudburst had earlier caused extensive destruction, damaging 18 residential quarters of the NEEPCO colony while leaving one person dead and four others reported missing.

The Hoj–Potin Road section of NH-13/NH-713A, considered a vital transport corridor for central and upper Arunachal Pradesh, remains completely blocked following massive mudslides, flash floods and severe road washouts triggered by continuous monsoon rainfall.

Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering inspected restoration work along the affected corridor amid persistent rainfall. Speaking on the ongoing situation, the Deputy Commissioner said the extent of damage across multiple stretches is substantial and restoration of the Hoj–Potin route is expected to take more than a week.

He stated that no earth-cutting permission has been issued in Papum Pare district during his tenure and highlighted that the Sagalee–Parang road currently remains the only motorable alternative leading towards Potin. Authorities have directed the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Sagalee to deploy manpower and machinery to facilitate movement for residents and travellers from Keyi Panyor and adjoining regions.

Meanwhile, connectivity challenges intensified further after the Kimin–Potin road was reportedly blocked again due to fresh heavy rainfall.

Local authorities have issued emergency advisories urging commuters to avoid all non-essential travel along the affected route, citing unstable terrain conditions and continuing landslide risks.

Officials said multiple major landslide points have emerged along the Hoj–Potin corridor, including heavily impacted stretches near Kala Mathi, locally known as the Black Mud Point, and the Pare River Hoj Box Cutting section.

The prolonged closure has significantly affected road access to several districts, including Keyi Panyor, Lower Subansiri, Kurung Kumey, Kra Daadi, Kamle and Upper Subansiri, disrupting movement of people and essential supplies.

The Public Works Department (PWD) Highway Division and restoration teams are carrying out debris clearance and emergency restoration operations on a war footing. However, continuous rainfall and difficult terrain conditions continue to slow progress.

PWD Highway Division Junior Engineer Nagesh Kumar Singh said multiple machines have been deployed for restoration efforts but logistical constraints, including shortages in fuel supply, have created operational challenges.

According to field assessments, certain damaged sections include deep vertical gorges measuring nearly 40 to 50 metres, indicating that complete restoration and stabilisation of the route could take up to a month