Heavy to very heavy rainfall continues to lash the northeastern states of India, with no relief expected until Tuesday, according to weather forecasts. Since May 29, relentless rains and landslides have claimed at least 36 lives, including three Army personnel, and affected nearly 6 lakh people across the region.
Among the most tragic incidents, ten people—including children and a pregnant woman—lost their lives in Arunachal Pradesh. Assam too reported ten deaths, mostly due to devastating floods and landslides. The death toll stands at six in Meghalaya, four in Mizoram, two in Tripura, one in Nagaland, and three in Sikkim. Manipur remains the only northeastern state without reported casualties so far.
Assam Worst Affected
Assam is bearing the brunt of the disaster, with nearly 4 lakh people affected across districts like Lakhimpur, Silchar, South Salmara, Kaziranga, and Sribhumi. Floodwaters have submerged major roads and railway tracks, especially in the Barak Valley, leading to the cancellation of several train services, including both up and down services on the Dullabcherra-Guwahati route and Silchar-Naharlagun and Badarpur-Dullabcherra trains.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Lakhimpur district on Monday to assess the flood situation and oversee relief efforts, accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues. He is scheduled to visit Silchar in the Barak Valley on Tuesday.
Arunachal Pradesh: Flash Floods and Infrastructure Collapse
In Arunachal Pradesh, Namsai, Changlang, and West Kameng districts are the worst affected. Flash floods triggered by the overflowing Sigin River inundated large parts of Daporijo town in Upper Subansiri district, damaging more than 117 homes and critical infrastructure. Deputy Commissioner Tasso Gambo is leading relief operations in the district, advising immediate relocation for residents in high-risk areas such as Polo Colony, Sigin Colony, Bukpen Colony, and Forest Colony.
Landslides have disrupted road connectivity in West Kameng district, especially near Jamiri on the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang (BCT) road, leaving hundreds stranded. Blockades have also been reported in Jyoti Nagar, Dirang, Padma, and Durga Mandir. In Bomdila’s Petaling Colony, landslides destroyed roads and culverts, though fortunately no casualties were reported.
Shi Yomi district has been severely hit, with the strategic town of Mechuka near the Indo-China border completely cut off after the connecting road was washed away. Restoration efforts are ongoing with Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams deployed, but continuous rainfall is hampering progress.
District Disaster Management Officer Mindu Yangzom confirmed that teams are working round the clock, yet warned that the situation remains precarious due to the relentless downpour.
A Region on Edge
With inclement weather forecast to continue through Tuesday, emergency response teams are on high alert across all northeastern states. Authorities are urging residents in vulnerable areas to stay vigilant and cooperate with evacuation and relief operations. The scale of damage underscores the urgent need for long-term infrastructure resilience and disaster preparedness in the region.
