Floods Wash Away Church, Damage Parish Institutions in Arunachal Pradesh

ITANAGAR, July 13: Flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall have devastated a newly established Catholic parish in Arunachal Pradesh, washing away its church and severely damaging its school, presbytery and convent, prompting Bishop Benny Varghese of Itanagar to appeal for prayers and solidarity with the affected community.

The flooding struck Parciparlo Parish at around 2 a.m. when the Parciparlo River rose suddenly following incessant rain, inundating church property and nearby areas.

The worst-hit structure was St. Thomas Church, which was completely swept away by the floodwaters. Before the building collapsed, parish priests managed to rescue the Blessed Sacrament and move it to safety on higher ground.

"This morning around 2:00 a.m., the water level of the Parciparlo River rose suddenly. As a result, St. Thomas Church has been washed away," Bishop Benny said in a message shared with the faithful.

The bishop noted that, by God's grace, the priests were able to safeguard the Eucharist before the church was engulfed by the flood.

After speaking with Fr. Naveen Kumar, the parish priest, Bishop Benny said the parish school had been completely submerged, while the presbytery and convent had sustained extensive damage as floodwaters continued to rise.

"The school is fully submerged under water. The Presbytery and Convent are also badly affected. The water level is steadily rising," he said.

Authorities and parish officials are continuing to assess the extent of the damage, although access to several parts of the parish remains difficult due to flooding.

Established in 2019, Parciparlo Parish serves more than 1,200 Catholics across 14 substations and has become an important centre for worship, education and pastoral ministry in the remote region of Arunachal Pradesh.

Appealing for prayers, Bishop Benny urged Catholics and people of goodwill to remember the affected families.

"I earnestly request all of you to pray for the community that God may protect everyone from further harm and grant them strength, safety, and consolation during this natural calamity," he said.

The disaster comes amid a series of extreme weather events that have affected the Diocese of Itanagar in recent months. According to the bishop, several villages have experienced landslides and flash floods this year. He recalled that a cloudburst last month washed away 14 houses in one village and claimed five lives.

Relief efforts are continuing as authorities monitor the situation and seek to reach affected communities. While the destruction of the parish's church and institutions represents a major setback, diocesan leaders said the immediate priority is ensuring the safety of parishioners, priests, religious sisters and local families displaced by the floods.

By Catholic Connect Reporter