Northeast India Flood Situation – 2025

Northeast India’s monsoon season typically brings picturesque landscapes, but the current torrential rains have unveiled a complex and often devastating reality. This year, all eight states in the region, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim, have been severely impacted by widespread floods and landslides, with some areas experiencing their worst conditions in years. The ongoing crisis highlights a critical love-hate relationship with the life-giving rain, as repeated promises of administrative preparedness fall short, leaving communities grappling with collapsed roads, submerged homes, and buried lives.

Since late May 2025, the incessant rainfall has claimed between 30 to 32 lives across Northeast India. Thousands of homes are inundated, and vital infrastructure has suffered severe damage. Central and state authorities are conducting large-scale rescue and relief operations, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah assuring full central support to affected Chief Ministers and Governors. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red and orange alerts, forecasting continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in the coming days.

Here’s a state-wise breakdown of the unfolding flood and landslide situation across Northeast India:

Assam: Battling Unprecedented Flooding and Urban Devastation

Assam is reeling from relentless rainfall since late May 2025, exacerbated by a depression over Bangladesh and Meghalaya. As of May 31, the IMD placed three western districts under Red Alert and eight others under Orange Alert. Rainfall runoff from Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya has worsened the situation, with downpours predicted to continue until at least June 3.

Seventeen districts have been affected, impacting over 78,000 people. Twelve districts are inundated, with five experiencing severe urban flooding. Major rivers like the Brahmaputra and Barak, along with tributaries such as the Dhansiri, Kopili, Kushiyara, and Katakhal, are flowing above danger levels. The Central Water Commission has issued an Orange Flood Bulletin, and several embankments have breached, submerging new areas.

Transportation has been severely hit, with NH-17 in Kamrup submerged, Guwahati’s roads waterlogged, train services in Barak Valley suspended, and ferry routes like Jorhat–Majuli halted. Guwahati, the state capital, faces severe urban flooding, with streets under knee-to-waist deep water and landslides damaging homes. A tragic incident in the Bonda area saw five family members buried in a single mudslide. Authorities have cut electricity in affected areas to prevent electrocution, and schools and offices remain closed.

Across the state, eight people have died five in landslides and three by drowning. Over 1,200 people have sought shelter in relief camps, while thousands more are staying with relatives on higher ground. Lakhimpur is the worst-hit district, affecting over 41,600 people. Relief operations, led by ASDMA, NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and Assam Rifles, are in full swing. The Air Force recently rescued 14 stranded people near Tinsukia. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has termed the situation “abnormal” and visited affected areas, with the Centre on high alert following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s assurance of full support.

Meghalaya: Record Rainfall and Deadly Landslides

Meghalaya has experienced relentless heavy rainfall in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills since late May. Iconic rain-soaked regions like Cherrapunji and Mawsynram recorded nearly 47 cm of rainfall in just 24 hours among the highest single-day totals on record. The IMD issued a Red Alert for districts like East Khasi Hills through June 3, warning of isolated extremely heavy rainfall.

Between May 31 and June 1, six people lost their lives in rain-related incidents two girls were killed by lightning, one person drowned in flash floods, and others perished in landslides. Around 1,100 people across 49 villages have been affected, facing flash floods, landslides, road blockages, and power outages. In the Khasi Hills, storms brought down power lines, while rivers in the Garo Hills breached banks, flooding paddy fields and lowlands. Several roads near Shillong and in rural areas remain blocked, though emergency teams are working to restore access.

Meghalaya’s Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has placed the administration on high alert and instructed district magistrates to keep relief camps ready. A worrying case involves a missing tourist couple from Madhya Pradesh, last seen near a waterfall in East Khasi Hills on May 30. Search operations by NDRF and police continue despite poor weather and visibility, with the state potentially requesting paramilitary support. Community volunteers are helping relocate vulnerable residents, and road advisories warn of landslides, especially along the Shillong–Guwahati highway. The government has announced ex-gratia aid for deceased families and opened temporary shelters in schools and community centers for displaced residents.

Arunachal Pradesh: Fatal Landslides and Cut-off Routes

Arunachal Pradesh has been severely hit by deadly landslides and intense rainfall, particularly across its central and western regions. Over just two days, nine people have lost their lives. A major tragedy occurred on May 30 when a landslide swept a vehicle carrying two families off National Highway-13 into a deep gorge in East Kameng, killing seven. In another incident in Lower Subansiri’s Ziro Valley, two workers died after a slope collapsed onto farmland. Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed condolences and announced ₹4 lakh in ex-gratia compensation to each victim’s family.

Landslides have disrupted key transport routes, including the Itanagar–Naharlagun highway and mountain roads in West Kameng and Tawang, cutting off several regions. Flash floods from overflowing rivers particularly the Siang, Subansiri, and Kameng have affected foothill areas and low-lying villages, though embankment breaches remain limited. Precautionary evacuations are underway in vulnerable riverbank zones.

With further heavy rainfall forecast through June 6, the state government has issued travel advisories, urging people to avoid hill roads and swollen water bodies, especially after dark. Emergency operation centers have been activated across high-risk districts. The Indian Air Force carried out a dramatic rescue on June 1, airlifting 14 stranded people from the Bomjir River near the Assam border. Paramilitary forces including the ITBP and Assam Rifles are assisting in reaching remote or cut-off villages. National Highway and disaster response teams (SDRF, NDRF) are clearing debris where conditions permit. The Chief Minister has advised residents to remain extremely cautious, particularly in landslide-prone and river-adjacent areas, until the weather stabilizes.

Nagaland: Flash Floods, Landslides, and Road Closures

Nagaland is grappling with intense rainfall, triggering flash floods in low-lying areas and landslides in its hilly regions. At least two people have died one in a tragic rockslide on the Dimapur–Kohima highway near Chümoukedima on May 30, and another in a separate rain-related incident, likely a landslide or drowning, still under verification. Several others have suffered injuries due to house collapses and mudslides, though large-scale casualties have been avoided so far.

Landslides have blocked sections of NH-29 and several district roads, briefly closing access to Kohima and causing travel delays. In Kohima and nearby hill areas, slope failures have damaged houses, prompting precautionary evacuations, while Dimapur faced urban flooding due to poor drainage. Power outages affected a few rural areas after trees fell on electric lines, but repair crews have restored supply to most major towns, and mobile networks remain functional aside from isolated disruptions.

The state’s Disaster Management Authority has activated district response teams and opened relief shelters in affected zones including Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Peren, and Kohima. SDRF teams and one NDRF unit are on standby, while local volunteers are helping clear debris and assist with drainage. Public advisories continue to urge people in vulnerable hillside areas to shift to safer locations as rainfall persists.

Manipur: Imphal Valley Submerged by Swollen Rivers

Manipur has been severely affected by flooding in the Imphal Valley due to continuous heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers. By May 31, the Iril and Nambul rivers in Imphal East had crossed danger levels, while the Imphal River breached its High Flood Level, causing embankment failures. Low-lying parts of Imphal, including Checkon, Heikrumakhong, and Heingang, were inundated, with streets submerged in knee-to-waist deep water. Floodwaters entered homes and shops, overwhelming drainage systems.

So far, over 3,800 people across the state have been affected, and more than 880 houses have suffered water or structural damage. Though no fatalities have been confirmed, several injuries and near-misses have occurred, including a widely shared video of villagers rescuing children from strong currents. Imphal East and West, Kangpokpi, and Thoubal are among the worst-hit areas, with Kangpokpi recording 175 mm rainfall in 72 hours.

The Indian Army and Assam Rifles have rescued over 800 people, including All India Radio staff after their compound flooded. Relief camps have been set up in schools and halls, offering shelter, food, and medical care. Governor Anusuiya Uikey and state officials have overseen response efforts, while SDRF teams continue evacuations and sandbagging along riverbanks. Infrastructure has also been impacted parts of NH-2 and city roads remain submerged, landslides have blocked rural roads in Senapati and Churachandpur, and electricity in submerged zones was briefly cut for safety. AIR Imphal was temporarily off-air but restored via alternate sites. Authorities are urging residents near riverbanks to relocate as rains are expected to continue.

Mizoram: Devastating Landslides and Earthquake Concerns

Mizoram has witnessed devastating landslides and flooding following days of intense rainfall, especially in the capital Aizawl and nearby districts. In the past 48 hours alone, five lives have been lost, including four people three of them Myanmarese refugees killed when multiple homes collapsed in a massive landslide on Aizawl’s outskirts. Another person died in Serchhip district.

At least 147 landslides and rockfall incidents have been reported statewide, damaging over 56 buildings. Aizawl, built along steep hillsides, saw widespread slope failures four homes collapsed in the P&E Veng locality, potentially triggered by both rain and a mild earthquake. Sixty-three families in landslide-prone zones have been evacuated and are being sheltered in government buildings or with relatives. Flash floods were also reported, including along the Tlawng River near Sairang village, forcing riverside residents to higher ground. In the south, the Khawthlangtuipui River (Karnaphuli) is rising dangerously, prompting preparedness measures in Lunglei district’s Tlabung area bordering Bangladesh.

Landslides have blocked 69 road points across the state, including national and state highways; for instance, travel to southern Mizoram via Serchhip remains suspended until roads are cleared. Fallen trees and debris have also disrupted power in parts of the state, though Aizawl has seen partial restoration. Relief operations are underway, led by the Mizoram Department of Disaster Management and aided by NDRF and SDRF teams. Earth-moving equipment is being used to reopen critical routes, and rescue crews have retrieved all victims from debris in the worst-hit areas. The government has opened about 25–30 relief camps providing food, water, and medical care. Chief Minister Zoramthanga and ministers are monitoring the response, while structural engineers are inspecting buildings in affected zones. The state has informed the Centre, including the DoNER Ministry, to seek further assistance. Notably, the recent rainfall was accompanied by a moderate earthquake, which may have worsened landslides by shaking already saturated slopes.

Tripura: Agartala Submerged in Record Rainfall

Tripura is reeling under one of its worst flood events in recent years, with record-breaking rainfall submerging large parts of the capital Agartala and other districts. On the night of May 31, Agartala recorded nearly 200 mm of rainfall in just three hours, causing flash floods and widespread disruption. In the last 48 hours, West Tripura, Unakoti, and North Tripura districts have seen 140–200 mm of rain, prompting the IMD to issue a Red Alert across all eight districts. Thunderstorms and gusty winds accompanied the deluge.

So far, at least two deaths have been reported: a man who fell into an open manhole in Agartala and a teenager who drowned in Jirania. Around 10,600 people (from 2,800 families) have been evacuated and sheltered in 60 relief camps, with 27 camps set up in Agartala alone. Streets in the capital turned into rivers, paralyzing traffic and flooding homes, including neighborhoods near the Chief Minister’s residence. Boats were used in rescue operations, and pumping stations worked continuously to clear water. The Howrah River breached danger levels, flooding neighborhoods, though its level began receding by June 2. Outside Agartala, towns like Kailashahar also experienced local floods.

Roughly 200 homes across the state were damaged, and some embankments eroded under water pressure. Power was briefly cut in submerged zones but largely restored as waters receded. Internet and telecom services remained mostly intact. The state government has been proactive, with CM Manik Saha canceling prior events to oversee response efforts. Officials have toured affected zones, and the Integrated Control Room in Agartala is on 24/7 alert. Relief work is now shifting toward medical response and sanitation to prevent disease outbreaks, while authorities remain cautious about the forecast of further rainfall.

Sikkim: Landslides Isolate Tourists and Claim Lives

Sikkim, particularly its northern regions, has been seriously impacted by continuous heavy pre-monsoon rains, triggering multiple landslides and leaving around 1,500 tourists stranded in high-altitude areas like Lachung and Lachen. Landslides along the Chungthang–Mangan route and other key roads in North Sikkim have severed access, making debris clearance slow due to persistent rainfall and risk of fresh slides.

A tragic incident on May 30 further shook the region 11 tourists plunged into the swollen Teesta River in Mangan district after a road segment collapsed. One was confirmed dead, two were injured, and eight remain missing as dangerous water levels forced rescue teams to suspend search operations. The missing tourists’ families have been notified, and recovery efforts will resume when the weather permits.

Meanwhile, the state government, in coordination with the Indian Army and Border Roads Organization (BRO), has kept helicopters and disaster teams on standby to airlift stranded tourists if roads remain blocked. Poor weather, however, has grounded air missions so far. The tourists are currently sheltered in army camps and local lodges, receiving food and essentials. CM Prem Singh Tamang has overseen state response efforts, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured central support. Outside of North Sikkim, localized flooding has affected parts of South and West Sikkim, though no major damage has been reported there. National Highway-10 remains operational but faces intermittent disruption in parts bordering West Bengal. North Sikkim Highway is still closed. Power supply in northern pockets was disrupted due to landslides, but state teams and BRO workers are actively restoring infrastructure. Sikkim’s disaster management authority has advised against travel to the mountains until conditions improve, while relief operations continue across affected zones.

Continued Threat: IMD Forecasts More Rainfall and High Alert

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of continued widespread rainfall across Northeast India through June 5, with Red Alerts still active for parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. Isolated extremely heavy showers are expected, particularly in Tripura’s West and Dhalai districts, and parts of Arunachal and Sikkim may witness another rain surge around June 6.

With rivers like the Brahmaputra, Barak, Imphal, and Howrah already running above danger levels, authorities caution that further rain could lead to fresh flooding or exacerbate ongoing inundations. Some rivers are beginning to stabilize where rainfall has paused, but any new spell could trigger reversals. Landslide risk remains critically high across the hilly states, including Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim, where saturated slopes are prone to sudden failures. Daily advisories from IMD and local meteorological centers continue to urge extreme caution, especially in vulnerable and mountainous areas. Residents are advised to stay away from riverbanks, delay non-essential travel, and follow evacuation orders. Relief efforts remain on high alert, with food, water, and medicines pre-positioned across the region. Though some improvement is anticipated by mid-week (June 4–6), emergency agencies are staying deployed until water levels drop significantly and stability returns across the region.