Relentless rainfall across Northeast India has unleashed a wave of destruction, triggering deadly floods and landslides that have claimed at least 36 lives and affected over 5.5 lakh people across Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and other states. Homes have been submerged, bridges swept away, and roads buried under debris, cutting off entire communities and overwhelming local infrastructure.
In Assam, the situation remains dire with over 5.35 lakh residents in 22 districts reeling from the disaster. Fifteen rivers, including the Brahmaputra, have surged past danger marks. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, after visiting flood-hit Lakhimpur, assured full state support: “We are committed to providing every possible relief and will leave no one behind in this crisis.”
Meanwhile, Sarma held an emergency meeting with Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma in Guwahati to tackle worsening urban waterlogging. Sarma blamed unchecked hill-cutting in Ri-Bhoi district for increased runoff into Assam's capital. Sangma revealed: “NESAC will carry out satellite mapping to study water flow and land use. Data is expected within three months.”
In Sikkim’s Mangan district, a devastating landslide near Lachen led to the deaths of three army personnel, with six still missing. “Rescue efforts are ongoing under extremely difficult conditions,” a Defence official stated. Tourism remains crippled as access to major sites like Gurudongmar Lake and Lachung has been severed.
Arunachal Pradesh has reported 10 deaths across 23 districts, with hundreds displaced by overflowing rivers and collapsing slopes. Governor K.T. Parnaik urged citizens to stay vigilant: “Residents in high-risk areas must remain alert and follow advisories to ensure safety.”
In Manipur, broken embankments have forced nearly 20,000 people from their homes, including students trapped in flooded hostels in Imphal. Joint rescue teams have managed to safely evacuate many, though rising waters continue to threaten more localities.
Mizoram, too, has suffered extensively, recording five deaths and blocking over 212 roads due to massive mudslides. Authorities have shut schools and warned of further landslip risks. “Casualties include refugees and local residents,” a state official confirmed.
Though Tripura witnessed a slight drop in water levels, over 10,000 people remain in relief camps, as shared by Disaster Management officer Sarat Das.
On the national front, Union Health Minister JP Nadda has called on BJP workers to step in: “I urge party workers to provide all possible assistance in accordance with the issued guidelines,” he said.
However, opposition leaders have criticized the Centre’s response. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated, “I hope Prime Minister Narendra Modi opens the floodgates of the PM CARES fund to truly help the people of the Northeast.”
