Industrial Waste Turns Ranganadi River Turbid, Triggers Health Concerns in Lakhimpur

The Ranganadi River in Lakhimpur district has turned turbid following the release of industrial waste from NEEPCO’s 405 MW Panyor Hydro Electrical Project at Yazali, Arunachal Pradesh. The contamination, carrying silt and oily substances, has led to fish deaths, foul smells, and concerns over human health and the aquatic ecosystem. Residents blame dam repair work for the pollution, which NEEPCO had warned about in advance but failed to inform the Lakhimpur administration. The crisis has affected cattle, domestic animals, and picnickers, raising fears of groundwater contamination.