The early onset of monsoon in India has left behind a wave of unprepared waterlogged cities right from Kerala to Arunachal Pradesh. As the death toll reached 32, the torrential rains have caused massive flooding across multiple districts of North East India across Assam, Sikkim, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red-alert warning for the states predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall. Orange flags have been raised for neighbouring districts in Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura.

As per AFP data, at least 30 people have died across north-eastern states during the heavy downpour. This includes eight lives lost in Assam, nine in Arunachal Pradesh, five in Mizoram and six in Meghalaya as a result of rains, floods and landslides.

19 districts flooded

A section of the under-construction Sankalang Bridge in North Sikkim was swept away by the rising water levels in the Teesta River on Sunday, June 1. Due to intense and continuous rainfall in the region, the bridge serves as a critical connect to the road linking Dzongu, Chungthang, Lachung, and Lachen to the rest of Sikkim. Its damage has severely impacted connectivity to these remote areas as visuals appear on the internet. Rescue operations are underway as teams reached the rescue site.

As per the Indian Express, the crisis goes far beyond Assam’s capital. The north-eastern states has seen floods across 19 districts, with the Barak Valley affected the worst. Silchar, the main town in the region, recorded 42 cm of rainfall in 24 hours, while Karimganj and Hailakandi stations recorded 35 cm and 30 cm respectively, according to IMD reports.

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The Brahmaputra River and several of its key tributaries—such as the Katakhal, Barak, and Buridehing—are flowing above danger levels at multiple locations, triggering widespread flooding across Assam. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), over 1.44 lakh residents have been impacted.

Political backlash

Receiving condolences and comments, the condition in North-east is not shy of political intervention. Congress MP Kharge appealed his party to do eve4rything in their efforts to provide relief to the affected areas. He reiterated BJP’s promise of making Assam “flood-free”. Mocking these claims he urged the Modi government to release more funds for relief.

With IMD warnings in place, north-east India is facing torrential rain. Schools closed as waist-deep water clogs the road, affected states look for relief.