Northeast India is grappling with a severe natural disaster as relentless monsoon rains have triggered widespread floods and landslides across the region, resulting in at least 34 fatalities and displacing thousands. The states most affected include Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Sikkim.
Since May 28, incessant heavy rainfall has caused rivers such as the Brahmaputra, Barak, and their tributaries to swell beyond danger levels, inundating vast areas. Assam alone has seen over 3.64 lakh people affected across 19 districts, with 764 villages submerged.
The Cachar district was among the worst hit, impacting over 1.03 lakh residents. Floodwaters have disrupted road and rail transport, with train services canceled and key routes submerged, notably in southern Assam’s Barak Valley and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
The death toll includes 10 in Assam, 9 in Arunachal Pradesh, 6 each in Meghalaya and Mizoram, 2 in Tripura, and 1 in Nagaland. Many deaths were caused by flash floods, landslides, and lightning strikes. Notably, a landslide in Guwahati’s Bonda area killed five people, including three children.
Infrastructure damage is extensive, with over 900 houses damaged in Manipur and Mizoram. The collapse of the Phidang Bridge in North Sikkim stranded nearly 1,400 tourists, while over 1,500 tourists were stranded in northern Sikkim due to swollen rivers and landslides.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with the Indian Air Force conducting helicopter missions to evacuate stranded people, including 14 individuals from an island in Arunachal Pradesh’s flooded Bomjir river.
Authorities have issued red and orange weather alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall across Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim until June 5, warning of further flooding and landslides. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts continued showers, exacerbating the crisis.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been in contact with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and the Governor of Manipur to coordinate relief efforts and provide assistance.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged residents, especially those in low-lying and riverbank areas, to remain vigilant and follow local advisories as river water levels continue to rise sharply.
Agricultural activities have also been severely disrupted, with farmers advised to postpone sowing of crops such as rice, maize, and jute, and avoid fieldwork during thunderstorms in Tripura.
The ongoing floods and landslides highlight the Northeast’s vulnerability to climate-induced disasters, with environmental experts emphasizing the need for enhanced disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in this ecologically sensitive and mountainous region.
Current Impact Summary:
– Deaths: 34 confirmed across Northeast India
– Affected population: Over 3.64 lakh in Assam alone; thousands more across other states
– Displaced: Thousands evacuated to relief camps
– Infrastructure: Roads, railways, bridges damaged or submerged; over 900 houses damaged in Manipur and Mizoram
– Rescue operations: Indian Air Force and Army actively involved
– Weather alerts: Red and orange alerts issued for multiple districts
– Agricultural disruption: Crop sowing postponed in Tripura
The situation remains critical as the monsoon continues to pound the region, with authorities and rescue teams working tirelessly to mitigate the disaster’s impact and provide relief to affected communities.
