Photo Credit: Bhaskar English
The early onset of the Southwest Monsoon has wreaked havoc across Northeast India, with intense rainfall leading to severe floods and landslides in Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya. As per official reports, at least 34 people have lost their lives, while thousands have been displaced and critical infrastructure has been damaged or submerged.
Assam Floods: Over 3.6 Lakh Affected, Major Rivers Overflowing
In Assam, the situation is especially grim. Over 3.64 lakh residents across 19 districts have been affected by rising floodwaters, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). Ten major rivers, including the Brahmaputra and Barak, are flowing above the danger mark, inundating villages, farmland, and roads.
Rescue operations are underway with support from the Indian Air Force, disaster response teams, and local authorities. Relief camps have been set up, and air-dropping of food packets is being carried out in the most severely affected regions.
Manipur Landslides and Flash Floods: Homes Submerged, Patients Evacuated
Manipur has witnessed a series of 33 landslides in just 24 hours, mainly in Imphal East district. Over 1,400 homes have been damaged and 4,000 people displaced. Emergency services rescued two young girls trapped in a flash flood, while major institutions like All India Radio Imphal and JNIMS Hospital were heavily waterlogged, prompting the evacuation of patients.
State authorities are on high alert, with SDRF teams deployed in vulnerable zones.
Sikkim Cut Off: 1,500+ Tourists Stranded After Bridge Collapse
In Sikkim, more than 1,500 tourists remain stranded in North Sikkim after torrential rains caused the Sankalang bridge to collapse. The vital bridge connects remote areas to Gangtok and its damage has led to complete isolation of the region. Landslides have further blocked the highways, hampering rescue and supply efforts.
The state government has urged tourists to remain calm as coordinated evacuation efforts begin.
Mizoram Rain Crisis: Villages Relocated Amid Flood Threat
Mizoram continues to face uninterrupted heavy rainfall, triggering multiple landslides and the overflow of the Khawthlangtuipui (Karnaphuli) river. In Lunglei district, more than 100 families have been evacuated from vulnerable zones in Tiperaghat and Tlabung. In Sairang, near Aizawl, homes near the Tlawng river are underwater.
Local administrations are urging people to move to safer locations as forecasts predict further rainfall.
Arunachal and Meghalaya Report Fatalities
In Arunachal Pradesh, nine people have died in rain-related incidents, including landslides and road accidents. The Indian Air Force successfully airlifted 14 individuals stranded on a river island in the Lower Dibang Valley.
Meghalaya has also reported seven fatalities, caused by landslides, drowning, and lightning. Local and national disaster relief teams continue to monitor the situation closely.
Weather Forecast and Government Response
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall is likely to continue in many parts of the Northeast, though its intensity may reduce slightly in the coming days. Red and yellow alerts remain in place across multiple districts.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, and the Governor of Manipur, assuring full central assistance. Relief funds have been released, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are on standby.
A Wake-Up Call for Climate Resilience
This extreme weather event underscores the increasing climate vulnerability of India’s northeastern states. Experts warn that urban expansion into riverbanks and hilly terrain, combined with poor drainage systems and deforestation, have magnified the impact of monsoon flooding and landslides.
Authorities are urging residents in low-lying and hilly areas to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow safety advisories. The IMD’s rainfall forecast for the next 72 hours includes heavy to very heavy rainfall across Upper Assam, South Sikkim, East Mizoram, and Manipur hills.
