At least 19 people have died, and more than 12,000 have been impacted as heavy rainfall lashed the northeastern states of India over the past three days, triggering flash floods, landslides, and mass destruction. The worst-affected states include Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh, where infrastructure damage and displacement have overwhelmed local authorities.
Buildings Collapse in Mizoram; Dozens Trapped
In southern Mizoram’s Lawngtlai town, a massive landslide brought down three buildings late Friday night. Authorities fear that at least eight people remain trapped beneath the debris. A local officer said the incident occurred after relentless rains battered the region.
Rescue teams have pulled two injured persons from the rubble. However, ongoing rainfall and limited rescue equipment have made operations difficult. The Indian Reserve Police from Thingkah village are on their way to assist the local authorities.
The landslide struck Chanmary, the town’s commercial center, where the collapsed buildings also housed a hotel sheltering refugees from Myanmar.
“There was a loud rumble just before the landslide, and about 15 persons from the hotel managed to escape in time. With limited rescue equipment and machinery, it’s been incredibly challenging to remove the debris. But our volunteers, in coordination with the police, are doing their best to reach those trapped,” said Elvis Lalthangzuala, a leader of the Young Lai Association (YLA).
Assam Faces Widespread Flooding
In Assam’s Lakhimpur district, floodwaters breached a protective ring bandh, inundating residential areas. State and national disaster response teams (SDRF and NDRF) have been deployed to lead rescue efforts.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Guwahati and surrounding regions received 90 to 134 mm of rainfall within 24 hours. More heavy rain is forecast.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cited upstream rainfall in Meghalaya as a significant factor behind the flooding and announced plans to meet with Meghalaya’s Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to coordinate further response.
The state also urged private educational institutions to take precautionary measures. Additionally, most government employees received special leave on Saturday due to the severe weather.
Arunachal Pradesh Landslides Kill Nine
In Arunachal Pradesh, nine people were killed in multiple landslides caused by incessant rainfall. In East Kameng district, seven people en route to Seppa died after a landslide swept away their vehicle on National Highway 13. Their bodies were recovered early Friday morning.
“It is very painful to hear about the tragic loss of seven lives in a landslide on NH-13 between Bana and Seppa. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families during this difficult time,” said State Home Minister Mama Natung. He advised citizens to avoid traveling at night through landslide-prone areas.
In Lower Subansiri district, two laborers died and two were rescued after a separate landslide near the Pine Grove area on the Ziro-Kamle road.
Flash floods also inundated areas in Upper Subansiri district, affecting over 100 families. The Sigin River overflowed into residential zones like Sigin-I, Sinyik Colony, and Polo Colony. Local authorities advised residents to avoid low-lying areas as rainfall is expected to continue through June 5, with red alerts and flash flood warnings in place.
Tripura Reports Casualties and Displacement
Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms left one person dead in Jirania, Tripura, while more than 200 people were displaced. State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reported that 106 houses were damaged and 57 families were shifted to four relief camps.
Although river levels, including the Howrah River in Agartala, approached danger levels, officials said they remain under critical thresholds. “We are coordinating with the water resource department and central water commission to closely monitor real-time water levels,” said an SEOC official.
Fallen trees blocked roads in Longtrai Valley, Jirania, Mohanpur, and parts of Gomati and South Tripura districts. Some roads have been cleared, but others remain inaccessible. The IMD forecasted very heavy rainfall (7–20 cm) and squally winds of 40–60 km/h across the region.
Earlier, the Tripura government had directed all district magistrates to begin emergency preparations. This included keeping disaster forces on alert and identifying possible deployment locations.
Manipur’s Rivers Overflow, Evacuations Ordered
In Manipur, the overflowing Imphal River flooded several areas in Imphal East, submerging homes and offices. Rivers like the Nambul, Iril, and Nambol are also flowing at warning levels after four days of relentless rainfall.
Residents in Senapati district’s Viewland Colony were evacuated due to flooding from the Senapati River. Officials at the flood control room confirmed complaints of overflowing and cracked riverbanks in areas like Khonghampat, Lamlong, and Singjamei.
The IMD issued a red alert for Manipur, predicting widespread moderate to heavy rainfall. Imphal West received 197.8 mm of rainfall on Friday alone, making it the wettest area, followed by Tengnoupal, Senapati, and Tamenglong districts.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati attributed the heavy downpour to a depression over Bangladesh moving toward India’s northeast. Authorities have forecast extremely heavy rainfall and squally winds over the next few days in all five affected states.
Northeast India reels under the impact of severe weather, with 19 lives lost, buildings collapsed, thousands displaced, and authorities struggling to mount rescue efforts amid ongoing rain and landslides. Red alerts remain in effect as more rainfall is expected in the days ahead.
