Relentless Rains Devastate Northeast India: 34 Dead, Thousands Displaced as Floods and Landslides Worsen
Guwahati | June 3, 2025 — Torrential rains continue to batter Northeast India, triggering widespread floods and landslides that have left at least 34 people dead and displaced thousands of families across six states.
The worst-hit regions include Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim, where incessant downpours over the past few days have caused rivers to overflow, roads to crumble, and entire villages to be cut off.
Authorities are on high alert as rescue and relief operations intensify. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched multiple sorties to airlift stranded civilians, drop relief supplies, and assist local disaster response teams. Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state agencies, are working around the clock to evacuate people from flooded and landslide-prone areas.
In Assam, over 1.5 million people have been affected across 25 districts. The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries are flowing above the danger mark in several locations. Roads, bridges, and embankments have collapsed under the pressure of swollen waters, cutting off access to many rural areas. Officials have set up over 500 relief camps for displaced residents.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma conducted aerial surveys and urged citizens to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary. “The government is mobilizing all possible resources to save lives and provide relief. Our priority is to rescue those trapped and ensure food and medical aid reach every flood-affected area,” he said.
In Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides, blocking highways and burying homes. At least 10 people have died in landslide-related incidents, with many others feared missing.
In Mizoram and Tripura, flash floods have inundated low-lying areas, forcing schools to close and displacing hundreds of families. Meanwhile, in Sikkim, landslides along the Teesta River valley have damaged roads and disrupted connectivity with key towns, including Gangtok.
Meteorological officials warn that more rain is expected in the coming 72 hours, especially in the hilly and border areas, increasing the risk of further flooding and landslides. A red alert has been issued for several districts in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Experts attribute the severity of this year’s monsoon to changing climate patterns, poor drainage systems, and rapid deforestation in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions.
Humanitarian agencies and NGOs have stepped in to provide food, clean water, and medical support. However, access remains a challenge in remote pockets, where helicopters are the only viable means of reaching stranded families.
The central government is monitoring the situation closely. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured all possible support to the affected states and urged swift coordination between civil and military agencies.
As the region battles the fury of nature, the focus remains on minimizing casualties, restoring connectivity, and ensuring basic needs for those left homeless by one of the most devastating monsoon spells Northeast India has faced in recent years.
