Heavy rainfall has unleashed widespread devastation across Northeast India, leading to floods and landslides that have tragically claimed over 35 lives. From Assam, Tripura to Arunachal Pradesh, the region continues to reel under heavy rainfall battering the region with floods and landslides. This unfolding disaster has displaced thousands and crippled essential infrastructure, highlighting the urgent need for robust disaster management. Northeast India reeling floods and landslides claim over 35 lives, a grim reality for many communities.
Assam is currently facing a dire flood situation, with ten major rivers flowing above the danger mark. The relentless deluge has impacted over 78,000 people across more than 15 districts. This widespread disruption to life and livelihood has led to a major humanitarian challenge. The Central Water Commission (CWC) has issued an ‘orange bulletin’ for the state, underscoring the severity of the crisis. Northeast India reeling floods and landslides claim over 35 lives, and Assam contributes significantly to this tragic toll. Road transport, train services, and ferry operations have been severely disrupted, compounding the challenges for affected residents and hindering relief efforts. Several trains have also been cancelled due to water flowing over the tracks, further isolating affected areas. The situation is aggravated by heavy rain combined with water flowing down from neighbouring Meghalaya.
Union Home Minister Assures Full Support to Northeast States
In response to the escalating crisis, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has engaged with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, as well as the Governor of Manipur, to assess the situation. He has assured them of the central government’s unwavering support and all possible assistance to mitigate the impact of the heavy rains and subsequent disasters. The Modi government stands like a rock in support of the people of the Northeast, a reassuring message for those grappling with the severe impact of the floods. This commitment is vital as Northeast India reeling floods and landslides claim over 35 lives, requiring a concerted national effort to recover and rebuild.
Arunachal Pradesh has also been significantly impacted by the relentless downpour, with seven fatalities reported due to a devastating landslide on National Highway 13 in East Kameng district. Additionally, two more lives were lost in a landslide in Lower Subansiri district. Amidst these tragedies, stories of remarkable courage have emerged. In a commendable effort, Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel successfully rescued 14 individuals who were trapped in the swollen Bomjir river on the Assam-Arunachal border. Northeast India reeling floods and landslides claim over 35 lives, and the efforts of rescuers in Arunachal Pradesh offer a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation.
Sikkim is also grappling with its own set of challenges stemming from the heavy rainfall. A tragic incident saw a vehicle carrying 11 tourists plunge into the Teesta river in Mangan district, resulting in one fatality, two injuries, and eight missing persons. While two passengers were rescued that night, the remaining nine, including the driver, are still unaccounted for. Furthermore, approximately 1,500 tourists were left stranded in various parts of north Sikkim as the main road was blocked due to landslides. The ongoing crisis, where Northeast India reeling floods and landslides claim over 35 lives, severely impacts tourism and local economies in the region.
In Manipur, the incessant rain and escalating flood situation have prompted the government to extend summer holidays for all schools in flood-affected areas, including Imphal East, Imphal West, and Senapati sub-division. Reports indicate that the floods and landslides have impacted 19,811 people and damaged over 800 houses. Several localities within the state’s capital, Imphal, and many parts of Imphal East district have been inundated after a swollen river breached its embankments and overflowed in Khurai, Heingang, and Checkon areas. Northeast India reeling floods and landslides claim over 35 lives, and in Manipur, the scale of human displacement and property damage is significant. Manipur Governor AK Bhalla visited several inundated areas of Imphal town, while the army and Assam Rifles personnel rescued nearly 800 people from submerged localities in Imphal East, the worst-affected district.
Meanwhile, Tripura has also been hit hard by the relentless downpour, with its capital, Agartala, recording an unprecedented 200 mm of rainfall in just three hours. This led to massive inundation, tragically claiming the life of a man who fell into a manhole. Normal life was severely affected as overnight rain battered the city, with people seen wading through knee-deep waters even in front of Chief Minister Manik Saha’s residence. CM Saha confirmed that around 1,300 families have taken shelter in camps in West Tripura district due to the incessant rainfall over the past 48 hours. While the overall situation in the remaining seven districts appears “near normal,” many low-lying areas remain inundated. Northeast India reeling floods and landslides claim over 35 lives, and the incident in Agartala highlights the immediate dangers posed by urban flooding.