Monsoon devastation in Northeast India: 36 dead, over 5.5 lakh affected as floods sweep across Assam, Sikkim, and Arunachal

As of Tuesday, June 3, 2025, devastating floods triggered by incessant monsoon rainfall have displaced over 5.5 lakh people and claimed at least 36 lives across the northeastern states of India. Assam remains the worst-hit state, with over 5.35 lakh individuals affected across 22 districts. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) confirmed that 11 deaths have occurred in the state since the flooding began.

Authorities in Arunachal Pradesh have reported at least 10 flood-related deaths, while Sikkim has lost three army personnel to a massive landslide. In Manipur, flash floods have damaged thousands of homes and prompted large-scale evacuations. The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local agencies are conducting rescue operations across all impacted areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of more rainfall in the coming days.

How Bad Is the Flooding in Assam?

According to official reports, 22 districts in Assam are facing flood-like conditions due to the rising water levels of key rivers such as the Brahmaputra and Barak. Fifteen rivers have breached their danger levels, inundating 1,254 villages and destroying standing crops across 12,610 hectares of farmland.

The worst-affected districts include Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Darrang, and Hojai. In Lakhimpur alone, over 243 villages were submerged after the Ranganadi embankment gave way. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the flood-hit areas on Monday and attributed the sudden rise in water levels to the release of excess water from the Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh, describing the situation as akin to a “water bomb.”

In addition to human casualties, the disaster has resulted in the death of 94 animals and the temporary suspension of transport and ferry services in multiple districts. Relief operations are ongoing, with state authorities setting up temporary shelters and distributing food and medical supplies.

What Are the Latest Developments in Arunachal Pradesh?

Arunachal Pradesh is witnessing extensive damage due to landslides and flash floods. East Kameng district recorded a particularly tragic incident where seven individuals from two families died after their vehicle was buried under debris on National Highway 13. According to the state’s disaster response authorities, at least 10 deaths have been confirmed so far.

The government has deployed search-and-rescue teams to remote regions where communication has been cut off due to landslide-induced infrastructure damage. Bridges and roads have been rendered impassable, making it difficult to reach many of the affected communities.

The Regional Meteorological Centre has issued fresh alerts, warning that landslides and river swelling may continue in the coming 48 hours. Relief materials are being airlifted to isolated villages, with helicopters deployed to reach otherwise inaccessible regions.

What Happened in Sikkim’s Mangan District?

The state of Sikkim recorded one of the most harrowing incidents in this round of monsoon flooding. A landslide struck a forward Indian Army post in Chaten, Mangan district, claiming the lives of three personnel. Six individuals, including a commanding officer and his family, remain missing.

In response, a coordinated rescue operation involving NDRF and local administration was launched. A Mi-17 V5 helicopter was deployed to transport 23 NDRF personnel equipped with satellite communication devices and recovery equipment. According to defence officials, efforts are ongoing to locate the missing individuals and stabilize the terrain to prevent further landslides.

The Sikkim government has temporarily suspended all civilian traffic to the northern districts and advised tourists to avoid travel until conditions improve. The local weather office expects moderate to heavy rainfall to persist over the week.

How Has Manipur Responded to the Flood Emergency?

In Manipur, more than 19,800 people have been impacted by widespread flooding. The districts of Imphal East and Imphal West are among the worst affected. Breaches in river embankments following 48 hours of continuous rainfall have led to water entering residential areas and damaging over 3,000 homes.

The Indian Army and Assam Rifles launched Operation Jal Rahat-2 to evacuate stranded residents. By Tuesday afternoon, over 1,000 civilians had been rescued from inundated zones. A total of 31 relief camps have been established, primarily in Imphal East, to provide shelter and essential services to displaced families.

State officials indicated that road connectivity remains disrupted in several regions. Authorities are using boats and makeshift rafts to reach those marooned. Schools have been shut down, and exams postponed until further notice.

What Is the Broader Regional Impact of the Floods?

The flood situation is not limited to the larger states. Mizoram and parts of Nagaland have also reported incidents of landslides and flash floods. In Mizoram, at least 100 families were evacuated in the past 48 hours, and educational institutions have been closed across the state. The local government has placed its disaster response teams on high alert, and precautionary evacuations are underway in landslide-prone areas.

In Nagaland, the Kohima and Dimapur districts have seen damage to roads and minor landslips. While there have been no casualties reported in these states, officials continue to monitor the situation closely.

The Northeast Frontier Railway has temporarily suspended rail services in parts of Assam, citing safety concerns due to track submersion and landslip threats.

What Are the Weather Agencies Predicting for the Coming Days?

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Assam, Meghalaya, and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. It has warned that isolated regions could receive very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the next 48 to 72 hours.

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati also indicated that the prevailing depression over north Bangladesh could intensify further. With soil saturation levels already high, the risk of fresh landslides, flash floods, and embankment breaches remains elevated.

Authorities in all northeastern states have been advised to keep disaster response teams on standby and maintain communication with central agencies. River management cells have been activated, and flood forecasting stations are being monitored around the clock.

Why Is the Region So Prone to Floods?

Northeast India has a history of recurrent monsoon flooding due to its complex topography, fragile mountain ecosystems, and heavy dependence on transboundary rivers. The Brahmaputra and Barak river systems, which originate in Tibet and pass through Assam and other states, often carry heavy silt loads and tend to overflow during intense rain spells.

Additionally, the region’s rapid urban expansion, inadequate drainage, and poor embankment maintenance exacerbate the problem. Experts from the National Institute of Hydrology and environmental planners have repeatedly called for a basin-wide flood management strategy. They also recommend satellite-based early warning systems, real-time data exchange between states, and resilient infrastructure planning.

Over the past five years, Assam has faced at least three major flood events, displacing lakhs each time. Climate scientists warn that extreme rainfall events are likely to become more frequent and intense under shifting climate patterns.

What Comes Next for Relief and Recovery?

While rescue and relief remain the immediate focus, longer-term recovery will require a multipronged approach. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to send an inter-ministerial team to assess damage and determine financial assistance.

Meanwhile, the Assam government has begun compiling preliminary loss estimates and is prioritizing restoration of road and rail links, restoration of power infrastructure, and disbursal of crop compensation to affected farmers. The Chief Minister has also called for a review of dam protocols and interstate coordination mechanisms with Arunachal Pradesh.

NDRF officials told media outlets that personnel will remain stationed in vulnerable districts until the IMD reduces flood warnings. Local authorities are requesting citizens to remain alert, avoid low-lying areas, and follow evacuation advisories promptly.