The northeastern states of India are currently grappling with severe flood and rainfall situations, leading to widespread devastation and urgent rescue operations. Assam is facing critical conditions with over 6.71 lakh people affected in the second wave of flooding this year. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been instrumental in rescue missions, including the dramatic airlift of 13 stranded fishermen in Dibrugarh. Similarly, Manipur and Mizoram are experiencing heavy rainfall, causing rivers to reach warning levels and triggering landslides, respectively. This piece provides a detailed account of the current flood scenarios, rescue efforts, and the ongoing challenges faced by these states.
Assam
Assam’s flood situation remained critical on Tuesday with over 6.71 lakh people affected in 20 districts in the second wave of flooding this year, as the IAF rescued 13 stranded fishermen from the severely-hit Dibrugarh district, an official said.
At least 13 major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, are flowing above the danger level at different places, with alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts, an official bulletin said.
The stranded fishermen were rescued from Hatia Ali, a ‘char’ (sandbar) area in Dibrugarh, at the request of Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).
“ASDMA requested IAF to airlift these 13 stranded fishermen. All the expenditure for airlifting the people will be borne by ASDMA,” the official said.
The IAF, sharing pictures related to the rescue operation on X, wrote: “#IAF rescued 13 marooned survivors from a small island in the flooded Brahmaputra, north of Dibrugarh in Assam. On 2 Jul 24, after a sunrise takeoff, a Mi-17 IV helicopter from AFS Mohanbari flew in challenging weather conditions and undertook rescue ops from a marshy piece of land.” The coordinated efforts of the pilot and flight gunner ensured prompt and safe boarding of the 13 survivors, it said.
The IAF added that emergency first aid was provided by the force after the rescue.
On Sunday, the IAF had rescued 8 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and a revenue official from Jonai in Dhemaji district when they were stranded in another sandbar area during relief operations.
Dibrugarh district has been severely affected in the current wave with the major town in Upper Assam inundated for the sixth consecutive day.
An ASDMA bulletin said that 6,71,167 people were reeling under flood waters in 67 revenue circles in 20 districts – Biswanath, Cachar, Charaideo, Darrang, Chirang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Sonitpur, Morigaon, Nagaon, Majuli, Karimganj, Tamulpur, Tinsukia and Nalbari.
With one fatality confirmed in the last 24 hours, the death toll in this year’s flood, storm and landslide rose to 46.
The Brahmaputra is flowing over the red mark at Neamatighat (Jorhat), Tezpur (Sonitpur), Guwahati (Kamrup) and Dhubri (Dhubri).
Other major rivers that have breached the danger level are Subansiri at Badatighat (Lakhimpur), Burhidihing at Chenimari (Dibrugarh), Dikhou at Sivasagar, Disang at Nanglamuraghat (Sivasagar), Dhansiri at Numakigarh (Golaghat), Jia-Bharali at NT Road Crossing (Sonitpur), Kopili at Kampur (Nagaon), Puthimari at NH Road Crossing (Kamrup), Beki at Barpeta Road Bridge, Dhaleswari at (Hailakandi), Kushiyara at Karimganj, and Barak river at BP Ghat.
The ASDMA bulletin said the Regional Meteorological Centre at Borjhar, Guwahati, has issued an alert for likely heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places over Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
Altogether 8,142 people are taking shelter in 72 relief camps in different affected districts.
For relief and rescue operations, NDRF teams have been deployed at Cachar, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Golaghat, Majuli and Lakhimpur.
SDRF, fire and emergency services personnel, police forces and AAPDA Mitra Volunteers of ASDMA have been helping the district administration in flood affected areas.
Indian Army personnel have also been pressed into relief operations in Golaghat district.
A total of 614 SDRF personnel, including 159 deep divers, with 295 boats have also been deployed in 54 locations.
Breach of embankments in Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon and Majuli have been reported in the last 24 hours.
Reports of damage to other infrastructure, like roads, have also been received, the ASDMA bulletin added.
In the famed Kaziranga National Park, 95 out of the 233 forest camps have been inundated with the Golaghat district administration issuing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) restricting the movement of vehicular traffic on NH-37 (New NH-715) and vehicle speed to between 20 to 40 km/hour.
Manipur
The Imphal West district administration has requested people staying near the river to stay alert for possible breach of river banks or embankments in the wake of rising river water levels due to heavy rainfall, an official said on Tuesday.
A notification issued by the Office of District Magistrate Imphal West on Monday night said, “Major rivers in the district have reached warning level in Imphal area…” “Catchment areas of Imphal and Nambul river are reported to be receiving continuous rainfall,” it said, adding that the IMD has warned of “heavy to very heavy rainfall activity in Manipur for the next five days.” The notification said, “Public in general and people located near river fronts, river banks or close to river course are requested to stay alert for any possible breach of river banks.” Imphal river is the largest river in Manipur valley.
Mizoram
According to News18, relentless and unprecedented rainfall has caused severe destruction and chaos across many parts of the state. The incessant downpour has triggered numerous landslides, leading to extensive property damage and widespread road blockages.
Tragically, homes have been swept away by the deluge, resulting in the deaths of a husband, wife, and their daughter.
The heavy rainfall has forced numerous residents to evacuate their homes and seek shelter in safer areas. Emergency shelters have been established to accommodate the displaced, with authorities providing essential supplies and support to those affected.
In response to the hazardous conditions, the Education Department has declared a school holiday to prioritise the safety of students and staff. Many roads remain impassable due to landslides and flooding, further complicating rescue and relief operations.
The state government has mobilised disaster response teams and is coordinating with local agencies to provide relief and support to the affected communities.
Fighting nature’s fury
As Assam, Manipur, and Mizoram confront the relentless forces of nature, the resilience and coordination of local authorities, disaster management teams and the IAF play a pivotal role in mitigating the impact.
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Incessant rains, raging floods and massive landslides leave India’s North East at nature’s mercy
