Floods feared in Arunachal and Assam; governments least prepared

a landslide on the Indo-Tibetan border has blocked the course of the river Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) resulting in the formation of a reservoir. This may cause flood in downstream areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam if the barrier of mud and debris bursts under pressure from water accumulating on the other side.

The reservoir was noticed by jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police in mid-April. They alerted the Arunachal Pradesh administration. The mud wall, blocking the river, is said to be 49 metres thick. A breach in it will affect Siang district in Arunachal and Dhemaji district in Assam, said Keshab Chhatradhara of People