Keyi Panyor, April 25:
In a tragic incident triggered by inclement weather, a 43-year-old Public Works Department (PWD) engineer lost his life after a tree, uprooted by heavy rain and strong winds, fell on a moving vehicle along National Highway-13 in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday morning.
The accident took place at around 8:00 am on the Potin–Posa stretch of NH-13, specifically between Pitapull and Potin. According to police, a Toyota Fortuner travelling from Itanagar towards Pipsorang was struck by a massive log that suddenly collapsed onto the passenger side of the vehicle amid intense rainfall and gusty winds sweeping across the region.
The deceased has been identified as Deken (Deccan) Sorang (43), who was serving as a Junior Engineer under the Public Works Department and was posted in Pipsorang under Kra Daadi district. He was travelling in the front passenger seat at the time of the incident. Accompanying him was the driver, Shan Rai (36), a resident of Dhemaji district in neighbouring Assam.
Superintendent of Police of Keyi Panyor district, Angad Mehta, stated that the force of the falling tree was devastating. The log struck the vehicle directly on the side where Sorang was seated, leading to fatal injuries and his instantaneous death at the scene. The driver, although physically unharmed, suffered severe shock due to the sudden and violent nature of the incident. He was immediately shifted to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Yazali, where he is currently undergoing medical observation and treatment.
Local police and emergency responders rushed to the accident site soon after receiving information. A rescue operation was swiftly carried out to extricate the victims from the damaged vehicle. The body of the deceased was later transported to the CHC for necessary procedures.
Officials informed that an inquest has been conducted in accordance with legal protocols. Further formalities, including post-mortem procedures and handing over of the body, are being carried out in coordination with the bereaved family members.
The incident highlights the risks posed by extreme weather conditions in hilly terrains, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall when landslides, falling trees, and road blockages are common. Authorities have urged commuters to exercise caution while travelling through vulnerable stretches of highways during adverse weather.
This unfortunate event has cast a pall of grief over the department and the local community, as colleagues and acquaintances mourn the untimely demise of the engineer.
