Heavy downpours have left parts of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Meghalaya flooded, with rescue efforts stretching thin and fears of further landslides looming large.
The fury of nature hasn’t eased its grip on India’s northeastern belt. Torrential rain has triggered flash floods, deadly landslides, and widespread destruction. As of Sunday, over 30 people have lost their lives. Thousands are displaced. Crops are under water. Homes are in ruins. And rescue teams? They’re racing against time.
States Underwater, People Left Stranded
By late Sunday, the number of deaths had risen to 31, officials confirmed. Eight in Assam, nine in Arunachal Pradesh, six in Meghalaya, five in Mizoram—and that’s just the confirmed toll. More casualties are feared as rains continue and communication to remote villages breaks down.
Assam has been hit particularly hard. In Nagaon district, villagers were seen wading chest-deep through muddy water to salvage food, clothing—whatever they could find. Emergency shelters are filling up. Roads have turned into rivers.
In Manipur, things aren’t any better. Rescue ops are in full swing, with multiple units including the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and Fire Services pooling resources. Choppers, rubber boats, ropes—it’s all hands on deck. But the rain refuses to stop.
Centre Steps In Amid Grim Forecast
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a statement posted on X, said he spoke directly with the chief ministers of Assam, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, and also reached out to the governor of Manipur. His message was simple: help is on the way.
That assurance comes as water levels in the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers continue to rise dangerously. With more rainfall forecast for the week, the government is bracing for things to get worse before they get better.
“Spoke with the Chief Ministers… assured them of every possible help,” Shah wrote. “The Modi government stands like a rock in support of the people of the Northeast.”
Breakdown of Fatalities Across the Region
Different states are grappling with different problems—some facing mudslides, others overwhelmed by swollen rivers. Here’s a breakdown of the death toll by state:
| State | Confirmed Deaths |
|---|---|
| Assam | 8 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 9 |
| Meghalaya | 6 |
| Mizoram | 5 |
| Manipur | 3 (suspected) |
| Total | 31+ |
Officials warn these numbers may rise as reports come in from remote, inaccessible areas.
Ground Zero: Nagaon, Assam and Beyond
Nagaon has become emblematic of the crisis. On Sunday morning, water from overflowing streams gushed through Kampur town. Residents clambered onto rooftops. Boats replaced motorbikes. And yet, many refused to leave. “Where do we go? Our whole life is here,” said 54-year-old Kalyani Das, clutching a soaked rice sack.
Local rescue teams, many of them volunteers, are short on equipment. The few boats available are being shared between multiple villages.
Here’s what they’re facing:
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Limited drinking water and food supplies
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Power outages for over 48 hours
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Kids and elderly falling sick due to cold and unsanitary conditions
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Schools and public buildings turned into makeshift shelters
“We’re not asking for much,” said one schoolteacher-turned-rescue-coordinator. “Just something to get us through the night safely.”
Meghalaya’s Fragile Hills Prove Deadly
While Assam floods made headlines, Meghalaya’s landslides have quietly taken lives. In Shillong’s outskirts, entire hill slopes crumbled after three straight days of rain. In some areas, boulders as large as cars tumbled down into homes.
Residents say they had no warning. “There was a sound, like thunder, then the wall cracked. In seconds, everything was gone,” said a survivor from East Khasi Hills.
Efforts to clear debris are slow. Earthmovers can’t reach certain areas. Roads have cracked or vanished. It’s a rescue-by-foot operation in most cases.
One sentence says it all: The hills are shifting.
Political Push and Local Frustration
On paper, the Centre has pledged full support. Financial aid packages are being drawn up. But at the local level, frustration is brewing.
“We get the tweets, but not the tents,” quipped a local NGO worker in Aizawl. Relief materials are arriving late, sporadic, and in some areas—not at all. Political opposition parties are already criticizing the “delay in action.”
There’s growing demand for long-term solutions—not just sandbags and sympathy.
Meanwhile, regional weather agencies have forecast more rain in the coming days. River basins remain swollen. Schools in several districts have been ordered shut until further notice.
