ASSAM & Northeast Faces Floods and Landslides

TONOY CHAKRABORTY

Northeast is grappling with severe flooding and landslides triggered by relentless heavy rainfall since late May 2025

. States including Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura are facing rising river levels, road blockages, and significant damage to infrastructure.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of continued heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas, exacerbating the crisis.

Government agencies, the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and the Indian Air Force (IAF) are actively engaged in rescue and relief operations, while state administrations work to provide support and ensure safety.

Assam: Critical Flood Situation and Guwahati’s Urban Deluge

Assam is reeling under a severe flood crisis, with over 3.64 lakh people affected across 19 districts as of June 1, 2025. Ten major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Barak, and their tributaries, are flowing above danger levels, submerging vast areas and disrupting road and rail connectivity.

The IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati predicts moderate rainfall across most of the state, with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas through June 5, 2025. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged residents in low-lying and riverside areas to remain vigilant, with 78,000 people directly impacted by the deluge.

In Guwahati, the state’s largest city and commercial hub, urban flooding has reached alarming levels, compounding the crisis. Torrential rains have overwhelmed the city’s outdated drainage system, leading to severe waterlogging in key areas such as Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Zoo Road, RG Baruah Road, and Dispur. Residential neighborhoods, commercial establishments, and critical infrastructure like hospitals and schools have been inundated, stranding thousands of residents.

The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has been criticized for inadequate pre-monsoon drain maintenance, which has exacerbated the situation. On June 1, 2025, flash floods swept through low-lying areas, with vehicles submerged and homes flooded, causing significant property damage. Local reports indicate that at least 10,000 residents in Guwahati alone have been displaced, with temporary relief camps set up in schools and community halls.

Assam Rifles and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have deployed teams across affected districts, including Guwahati, to evacuate stranded residents and distribute essentials like food, water, and medical supplies. In rural areas, crops across thousands of hectares have been destroyed, threatening livelihoods.

The state government has allocated emergency funds to District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) and is coordinating with the Central Government for additional support. Chief Minister Sarma announced on June 2 that relief materials, including 1,200 metric tons of rice and 500,000 liters of drinking water, have been distributed to affected communities.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported eight deaths on May 31, contributing to the state’s toll in the ongoing crisis. Restoration of critical infrastructure, such as the damaged NH-37 highway connecting Guwahati to upper Assam, remains a priority, with the Public Works Department (PWD) working round-the-clock to clear debris and repair roads.

Mizoram: Landslides and School Closures

In Mizoram’s Aizawl district, torrential rains have caused widespread landslides, mudflows, and rockfalls. On June 2, 2025, Aizawl Deputy Commissioner ET Lalrempuia announced the closure of all schools to ensure student safety, following IMD warnings and consultations with disaster management officials.

A preliminary report from the Department of Disaster Management & Rehabilitation (DM&R) recorded 211 landslide locations, 60 collapsed houses, 69 evacuated families, 83 road blockages, and four deaths. Chief Minister Lalduhoma, in a review meeting on June 1, emphasized maintaining access to district capitals and the airport by keeping essential roads operational.

Adequate funding has been allocated to District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), with relief funds prioritized for victims and continuous monitoring mandated for affected areas.

Sikkim: Stranded Tourists and Rising Teesta River

In Sikkim’s Mangan district, over 1,500 tourists remain stranded in Lachen and Lachung due to landslides, bridge collapses, and a surging Teesta River. A significant landslide in Shipgyer on May 31 delayed evacuation efforts, but a coordinated operation involving police, residents, forest personnel, and the Lachung Hotel Association began evacuations on June 2, led by local authorities.

The IMD issued a red alert for Mangan on June 1 and an orange alert for Gyalshing, Namchi, Soreng, Gangtok, and Pakyong, forecasting heavy rainfall through June 4. Damage to the Phidang bridge has restricted vehicular access to the Dzongu constituency, though restoration work by the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) has allowed limited foot traffic for residents and emergency services.

Arunachal Pradesh: IAF Rescue Operations

In Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang Valley, the IAF conducted a critical Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation on June 2, rescuing 14 individuals stranded in the flooded Bomjir River. The operation, executed using an Mi-17 helicopter, was launched following an urgent request from the state administrations of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The rescue highlights the military’s pivotal role in addressing the region’s flood crisis.

Manipur: Army and Assam Rifles Step In

In Manipur, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles have evacuated over 500 civilians from waterlogged areas in Imphal East and West under Operation JalRahat-2. Ten flood relief columns, equipped with boats, are operating in areas like Wangkhei, Heingang, Lamlong, Khurai, JNIMS, and Ahallup.

Emergency repairs on the breached Iril River boundary wall near Arapti Lamkhai in Thoubal District have been undertaken to curb further flooding. Nearly 800 bottles of drinking water and essential supplies have been distributed, with army boats ferrying stranded patients to JNIMS Hospital. Over 900 houses have been damaged across Manipur and Mizoram due to floods and landslides.

Tripura: Heavy Rainfall Continues

Tripura is witnessing heavy to very heavy rainfall, with the IMD forecasting extremely heavy downpours in isolated areas until June 4. Assam Rifles has bolstered rescue efforts in Agartala, focusing on evacuating residents and distributing aid. The state is among the worst affected, with significant disruptions to daily life and infrastructure.

Central Government Support

On June 1, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh of full central government support. In an X post, Shah stated, “The Modi Government stands like a rock in support of the people of the Northeast,” emphasizing coordinated efforts to address the crisis. The IMD has warned that a depression over Bangladesh, expected to weaken into a low-pressure area, will continue driving heavy rainfall across the region through June 5.

Casualties and Regional Impact

The death toll from rain-induced landslides, floods, flash floods, and lightning across Northeast India has reached 30 since May 29, with 22 fatalities reported on May 31 alone (eight in Assam, seven in Arunachal Pradesh, four in Mizoram, and three in Meghalaya). The region’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and homes, has suffered extensive damage, with ongoing rescue and restoration efforts critical to mitigating further loss.

Forecast and Ongoing Challenges

The IMD forecasts continued rainfall across Northeast India through June 5, with no significant change in maximum temperatures. The combination of floods, landslides, and rising river levels poses ongoing challenges, particularly in urban areas like Guwahati, where drainage issues exacerbate flooding.

State and central governments, alongside military and local organizations, are working tirelessly to evacuate stranded individuals, restore infrastructure, and provide relief to affected communities.

03-06-2025

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