Editor,
On 29 May, 2025, the peaceful Sigin River turned into a flood that damaged large parts of settlement beside its bank in Daporijo. It rained heavily for days, and the river could not hold the water anymore. The flood entered many areas, like Polo Colony, Sigum Rijo, Sigin, and Bukpen Colony. As reported by The Arunachal Times, more than 80 houses – RCC and semi-RCC – were affected. Shops, roads, and household items were washed away.
In one video that was shared widely, a pig was seen drowning. The pig shelter was also damaged. Though many animals were saved, the fear and loss remain. This shows how people and livestock living near the river are in danger when nature turns wild.
This is not the first time that such a flood has hit Daporijo. Back in September 2016, The Arunachal Times had reported a similar flood. That time too, heavy rains made the Sigin River overflow. The water flooded places like Sigin Colony, Polo Colony, Dilli D Colony, and the markets. Kutcha houses and toilets near the river were washed away. Some animals were lost, and many paddy fields and storehouses were damaged. Goods from markets and homes were swept off. Even then, there was no loss of human life, but the pain was deep.
This cycle of flood and loss continues. Every few years, the same places get hit. Why? One reason is the way we build our homes. In winter, the river looks calm. The water level goes down, and it looks like a dry area. Many people think it is safe to live or build near the banks. But they forget that summer rains can turn this stream into a river in full flow. This mistake costs us every time.
Many kutcha and semi-pucca houses are built right along the river. People also build animal shelters, shops, and toilets there. It may seem easy and cheap to live near the river, but it is also very risky. When the rain comes, all these places are the first to get flooded.
Another reason is the growing population. As more people come to town, the demand for land increases. People begin to settle wherever there is space. Often, they have no choice but to stay near rivers and low areas. But these areas are not safe during monsoon. Without proper planning, these houses become weak against floods.
The river is also becoming dirty. People throw plastic, waste, and garbage into it. This blocks the natural flow of water. When it rains heavily, the river can no longer carry all the water. The water then spills into the town. A few weeks back a friend of mine, Miss Dinita Pombu, also shared a video on Facebook where it was clearly seen how one of the rivers in Upper Subansiri was filled with plastic waste and garbage. It’s really disheartening to see our nature turn into a garbage.
Both people and government must take some blame. People must stop throwing waste into rivers. They must think twice before building near flood zones. Even if land is cheap, safety should come first.
The government should make rules stronger. Areas near rivers should be marked as danger zones. Building houses there should not be allowed. The town needs flood plans, safe drainage, and shelters for times of need. There should also be flood alerts during monsoon.
Help and support after floods are good, but what we really need is planning before the disaster. The money spent on repair could be saved if there is better control on where people build homes. Education is important too. People must know the risk of living too close to rivers. Awareness campaigns and public talks can help.
Daporijo must learn from this. We are living in a time where nature is becoming more and more unpredictable. When it rains, it does not stop. It pours like cats and dogs, and the rivers get wild. If we do not learn now, the same thing will happen again. Maybe next time, it could be worse.
This flood is a warning. We cannot fight nature, but we can prepare. We can plan better, build safer, and live with more care. It is time for the people of Daporijo to think deeply. Let this not be just another sad story. Let this be a turning point for all of us.
Topo Jon Pebi Paksok