As unrelenting monsoon rains continue to lash India’s Northeast, the region finds itself gripped by one of its worst environmental crises in recent memory. Eight more people died in Assam over the past day, taking the total number of casualties across the Northeast to 36. Flooding has displaced more than 5.15 lakh residents, while over 700 landslides have paralyzed transportation, destroyed homes, and severed vital infrastructure across multiple states.
The scale and intensity of the rainfall have pushed disaster response teams to the brink, and weather forecasts indicate little respite in the days ahead.
Assam Bears the Brunt
Assam, the epicenter of the catastrophe, is experiencing widespread destruction across 30 districts. In places like Dima Hasao, Hojai, Nagaon, and Barpeta, villages have been completely submerged. Major roads, including parts of National Highway 27, have either crumbled or are blocked, making relief delivery exceedingly difficult.
“The flood came in the night. We couldn’t save our cattle or belongings,” said Rupali Das, a resident of Bajali district, who fled with her family to a relief camp now sheltering over 400 people.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), more than 63,000 hectares of farmland have been washed away, leaving farmers devastated during peak cultivation season.
Landslides Decimate Hill States
The devastation is not confined to Assam. In Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland, landslides have triggered secondary disasters—damaging bridges, uprooting trees, and engulfing entire buildings. In one of the deadliest incidents, five members of a family in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district were buried alive when a massive chunk of hillside gave way.
More than 700 landslides have been reported, with over 100 key roads still blocked. Rescue teams are resorting to foot patrols and drone surveillance in particularly inaccessible areas.
“We’re unable to reach entire villages. People are trapped without food or communication,” said a rescue worker in Mizoram’s Lunglei district.
Relief Operations Under Pressure
Despite efforts by the Indian Army, NDRF, and local disaster authorities, relief efforts are struggling to meet the massive demand. The government has set up nearly 490 relief camps, with close to 3 lakh people taking shelter. However, reports of inadequate drinking water, medicine shortages, and overcrowded conditions are emerging from across the state.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma conducted aerial surveys of the worst-hit areas and appealed to the Centre for urgent financial and logistical support. “We are facing an unprecedented situation. The state government is doing all it can, but more resources are needed,” he said.
Kaziranga and Wildlife in Crisis
Kaziranga National Park, famous for its population of one-horned rhinoceroses, is under severe strain. At least 77 wild animals have perished, and dozens more have fled into nearby villages and highways, prompting a plea for cautious driving on surrounding roads.
Park officials are working with forest rangers and volunteers to relocate animals and distribute food. “The flood waters are too deep, and the highlands we built are no longer enough,” said forest guard Rahul Ahmed.
Public Health Concerns Mount
Doctors and health workers are sounding alarms about a looming public health crisis. Inundated sanitation facilities, contaminated water supplies, and close contact in shelters create a dangerous breeding ground for disease.
Mobile medical camps have been deployed, but vast areas remain underserved. “We’re already seeing cases of diarrhea, skin rashes, and respiratory infections,” said Dr. Anjali Deka from a relief clinic in Golaghat.
The state health department has requested urgent delivery of chlorine tablets, mosquito nets, and antibiotics from central stores.
Climate Change and Policy Failure
While floods and landslides are not new to the region, experts say the frequency and ferocity of such events are signs of deeper issues. Climate scientists point to erratic weather patterns driven by global warming, while environmentalists emphasize unchecked urban expansion and poor watershed management.
“We are reaping the consequences of poor planning,” said Dr. Biplab Das, a hydrology expert from IIT Guwahati. “We need climate-resilient infrastructure, not just temporary shelters.”
As the region braces for more rainfall, the focus is shifting from immediate survival to long-term resilience planning—before the next flood brings further tragedy.
