Relentless rainfall triggers devastating floods and landslides across Assam, Sikkim, and Manipur, claiming 36 lives and affecting over 5.5 lakh people, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledges comprehensive aid to the region.
Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured full central support to Assam, Sikkim, and Manipur, where severe floods and landslides have killed 36 people and displaced lakhs since May 29, 2025. Speaking with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla, Modi assessed the crisis and committed resources for relief and rehabilitation.
Assam Bears the Brunt
Assam remains the epicenter of the crisis, with 11 deaths—six from flooding and five from landslides—reported by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). Over 5.35 lakh people across 22 districts, including Sribhumi (1.94 lakh affected), Cachar (77,961), and Nagaon (67,880), are reeling under the deluge. The Brahmaputra, Barak, and 13 other rivers are flowing above danger levels, submerging 1,254 villages and damaging 12,610 hectares of crops. Relief efforts include 165 camps sheltering 31,212 displaced people and 157 distribution centers providing essentials. Assam CM Sarma, who visited flood-hit Lakhimpur, stated, “The state is working tirelessly to support affected families, with the Centre’s backing.”
Sikkim’s Landslide Tragedy
In Sikkim, a catastrophic landslide in Mangan district’s Chaten area on June 1 killed three army personnel—Havaldar Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur, and Porter Abhishek Lakhada—while six soldiers remain missing. The state declared the ongoing crisis a “disaster” under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Over 1,678 tourists stranded in Lachung and Chungthang were evacuated, but 100 remain stranded in Lachen due to severed roads and bridges. Sikkim CM Tamang thanked Modi for his support, noting, “Our administration is fully committed to managing the situation.” The Indian Air Force deployed two MI-17 V5 helicopters, rescuing 34 people, including injured soldiers and tourists, on June 3.
Manipur’s Flood Havoc
Manipur faces severe flooding, with 56,516 people affected and 10,477 houses damaged across Imphal East, the hardest-hit district. Breached embankments along the Iril and Nambul rivers caused widespread inundation in Imphal, Khurai, and Heingang. Joint operations by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, NDRF, and SDRF evacuated 2,913 people, including medical staff and students from the flooded Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal. The state reported 93 landslides in five days, exacerbating the crisis. Governor Ajay Bhalla, accompanied by Chief Secretary P.K. Singh, inspected relief efforts, emphasizing pre-emptive measures.
Relief and Warnings Intensify
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Assam’s Dhubri, South Salmara Mankachar, Goalpara, and Kokrajhar districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall on June 3. Similar alerts cover parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Tripura, with no respite expected until June 5. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also assured support, stating, “The Modi government stands like a rock with the Northeast.” Relief operations, including food and medicine distribution, are in full swing, with 322 camps across the region housing 185,000 displaced people. In Arunachal Pradesh, 10 deaths were reported, and 938 people across 156 villages were affected.
Criticism and Calls for Action
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Centre’s response, urging Modi to release PM CARES funds for relief. Posts on X highlight public frustration, with some users questioning the region’s flood management infrastructure, noting that Guwahati alone has 366 landslide-prone locations. Others praised the swift response of security forces, with Operation Jal Rahat by the Army and IAF earning commendations. Experts emphasize the need for improved early warning systems and urban planning to mitigate recurring monsoon disasters, as the region braces for more rain.
