Severe Flooding and Landslides Claim Lives in Northeast India

Tragic Impact of Monsoon Rains

Authorities have confirmed that relentless monsoon rains have led to devastating landslides and flash floods in Northeast India, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 individuals. In Guwahati, Assam, several homes were buried under landslides, claiming the lives of five people, including three members of a single family. This tragedy unfolded amid heavy rainfall that weakened slopes, prompting local officials to issue further warnings. Additionally, floods have resulted in three more fatalities, including two in Golaghat and one in Lakhimpur.

Fatalities in Arunachal Pradesh

In neighboring Arunachal Pradesh, which borders China, reports indicate that seven people lost their lives when a vehicle was swept away by floodwaters. In a separate incident, two individuals drowned, raising the death toll in the state to nine. Over the past 24 hours, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya have also reported eight fatalities, attributed to the sudden floods and landslides caused by the ongoing rainfall.

Disruption in Manipur

Continuous rainfall over three days has severely disrupted daily life in Imphal, the capital of Manipur. Reports of flooding have emerged from various parts of the city, leading authorities to issue flood warnings and urging residents living near the floodplains of the Imphal River to evacuate.

Tourists Stranded in Sikkim

In northern Sikkim, approximately 1,500 tourists have become stranded due to landslides blocking major roads. Earlier this week, a vehicle fell into the Teesta River in Mangan district, resulting in one death, two injuries, and eight individuals reported missing.

Rising River Levels and Government Response

Seven Major Rivers in the State are Overflowing

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has warned that the situation is likely to worsen for those residing in low-lying and riverbank areas due to the ongoing heavy rains in the state and neighboring regions. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken with Sarma to assess the situation and assured all possible assistance, as multiple agencies are engaged in rescue and relief operations.

Transportation and Relief Efforts Affected

The continuous rainfall has disrupted road transport, rail services, and ferry operations across most areas of the state. The state government has announced a compensation of four lakh rupees for the families of the five individuals who died in the landslides in Guwahati. According to a bulletin released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), one person each has died in Cachar and Shrimanta districts in the last 24 hours. The bulletin also reported that 3,64,046 people across 764 villages in 56 revenue circles of 19 districts have been affected.

Extent of Damage and Relief Camps

Cachar district has reported the highest number of affected individuals at 1,03,790, followed by Shrimanta with 83,621 and Nagaon with 62,700. An official statement from Cachar indicated that all educational institutions in the district will remain closed for two days starting Tuesday. The ASDMA bulletin noted that 3,524.38 hectares of agricultural land have been submerged, and 696 livestock have been swept away. A total of 10,272 individuals are currently sheltered in 52 relief camps, with 103 relief distribution centers established. Various agencies, including the Indian Air Force (IAF), are utilizing helicopters and boats to conduct rescue operations and provide relief to those stranded.