KKN Gurugram Desk | Even before the official onset of the 2025 monsoon, torrential rains have unleashed large-scale destruction across the northeastern states of India. Within just 24 hours, intense rainfall has led to flash floods, landslides, and structural collapses, resulting in the death of at least 32 people and affecting tens of thousands more.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) attributes this extreme weather to a low-pressure system formed over North Bengal and Meghalaya, which continues to push moist air and downpours across Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and parts of West Bengal.

Assam: Flash Floods Kill 9, Over 58,000 Affected

Assam has been among the worst-affected states. At least nine people have died, with thousands displaced due to relentless rain and flooding. The Ranganadi Dam in Lakhimpur district released excess water, leading to the death of two individuals downstream.

In Guwahati, the death toll climbed to five—including three children—after a wall collapse triggered by water-logging. Meanwhile, a landslide in the Bonda locality claimed another life.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), three districts in western Assam have been placed under Red Alert, with eight others under Orange Alert, warning of continuing heavy to very heavy rainfall and localized flooding.

Quick Stats (Assam):

• Deaths: 9 confirmed

• Districts on Alert: 3 Red, 8 Orange

• People Affected: Over 58,000

• Relief Camps: 5 camps housing 1,224 people

• Relief Centers: 11 operational

The situation is further aggravated by upstream rainfall from Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, increasing the water level in several rivers in Assam.

Arunachal Pradesh: Car Swept Away in Flash Flood, 7 Dead

Tragedy struck Arunachal Pradesh’s East Kameng district, where a car carrying two families was swept off National Highway-13 by powerful currents. At least seven people died in the incident.

In a separate case in Lower Subansiri district, two laborers were killed in a landslide triggered by soil erosion.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced ₹4 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and assured rapid deployment of emergency response teams.

Meghalaya: Heaviest Rainfall in a Day, 7 Dead

In Cherrapunji and Mawsynram, two of the world’s wettest places, the IMD recorded 47 cm of rainfall within 24 hours—among the highest single-day readings in the past decade.

The intense downpour caused flash floods and landslides across various regions of the state. At least seven people, including three children, lost their lives. Infrastructure damage includes washed-out roads, broken electricity lines, and collapsed houses in rural districts.

Mizoram: Building Collapses Kill 6, Including Foreign Nationals

In Aizawl, heavy rain caused a hotel building to collapse, killing at least six people, including three Myanmar nationals who were staying there. Rescue teams pulled out multiple survivors, but more people are feared trapped under the debris.

Several homes across Lunglei and Champhai districts were also reported destroyed or partially damaged.

Nagaland and Manipur: Road Fatalities, Rising River Threats

In Chümoukedima, Nagaland, a massive boulder fell onto a moving vehicle, killing one person instantly. The state has issued advisories for landslide-prone zones and urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel in hill areas.

In Manipur, the Iril and Nambul Rivers are flowing above danger levels. Evacuation orders have been issued in low-lying districts of Imphal East and Bishnupur as waterlogging and river breaches threaten residential colonies.

Widespread Destruction Across Northeastern Region

The Northeast is now battling what experts are calling a “pre-monsoon deluge.” Despite the formal monsoon onset still days away, the low-pressure system combined with saturated soil has made the region vulnerable to landslides and urban flooding.

IMD’s Cumulative Report (Northeast):

• Deaths: 32+

• Displaced People: 75,000+

• Rivers Overflowing: Iril, Nambul, Subansiri, and parts of Brahmaputra

• Infrastructure Damage: 100+ roads blocked, 250+ homes destroyed

State governments are collaborating with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Army units to conduct search, rescue, and relief operations.

What’s Causing This Weather Chaos?

According to IMD, a combination of pre-monsoon troughs and moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal has created the conditions for this extreme rainfall. The interaction of moist winds with high-altitude terrain in the region causes orographic lifting, which intensifies the rainfall.

Environmentalists also warn that unregulated urbanization, deforestation, and poor drainage planning have made cities like Guwahati, Shillong, and Aizawl more susceptible to natural disasters.

Weather Forecast: What Lies Ahead for Northeast and North India

Rainfall Outlook – Next 72 Hours

• Northeast India: The IMD predicts reduced intensity over the next 24 hours but confirms that rainfall will continue for at least two more days in Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and North Bengal.

• Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim: Likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds.

• North India:

  • Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh may experience light to moderate rainfall with strong winds.

  • Delhi-NCR and Western UP: Winds at 45-55 km/h expected, with chances of rain showers.

• Central India:

  • Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh may see light rainfall with thunderstorms.

Authorities on High Alert: What’s Being Done

Rescue and Relief:

• NDRF teams have been deployed across flood-prone zones in Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.

• Temporary shelters and medical camps have been established in at least 12 districts.

• Food supplies, clean drinking water, and first aid are being provided to displaced families.

Government Actions:

• State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) are coordinating with local officials for rapid damage assessment and reconstruction planning.

• Educational institutions and markets have been temporarily shut in flood-hit areas.

• Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Arunachal CM Pema Khandu are personally monitoring the situation and conducting aerial surveys.

Experts Warn of Climate Pattern Shift

Climate scientists believe these extreme pre-monsoon rain events could be a long-term shift in South Asian climate behavior. Rising sea surface temperatures and erratic monsoon cycles may make such events more common in the years ahead.

“This is no longer an isolated incident—it’s part of a disturbing trend,” says Prof. Arvind Nayar, a climate researcher at IIT-Guwahati. “We need a new flood management strategy tailored for Northeast India’s unique geography.”