Guwahati issues orange alert as Northeast braces for more heavy rain and floods

The Northeast region of India is grappling with severe flooding as heavy monsoon rains continue to batter the area. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Guwahati has issued an orange alert for districts including Dhubri, South Salmara Mankachar, Goalpara, and Kokrajhar, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and thunderstorms.

Assam remains the worst-hit state, with over 5.5 lakh people affected across 22 districts and a death toll that has climbed to 36 due to floods and landslides. More than 1,254 villages in 65 revenue circles are submerged, forcing over 31,000 residents into 165 relief camps.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, after visiting flood-affected areas in Lakhimpur district, attributed the worsening flood situation to the release of water from the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited's (NEEPCO) Ranganadi Dam in Arunachal Pradesh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to regional leaders, including Assam's Chief Minister Sarma, Sikkim's Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla, assuring full support to combat the crisis.

The floods have also caused landslides, such as the one near Lachen town in Sikkim’s Mangan district, triggered by heavy rainfall, which struck a military camp.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as the monsoon rains persist, with emergency response teams working to provide relief and prevent further casualties.

"The total death toll from floods and landslides triggered by the downpour over the past few days has now risen to 36, with over 5.5 lakh people affected across the region."
"The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Guwahati has issued an 'orange alert' for Dhubri, South Salmara Mankachar, Goalpara, and Kokrajhar, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and thunderstorms."
"Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma... blamed the release of water from North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited's (NEEPCO) Ranganadi Dam in upstream Arunachal Pradesh for worsening the flood situation."
"Over 1,254 villages in 65 revenue circles are submerged, with 165 relief camps sheltering more than 31,000 displaced residents."

Guwahati's Regional Meteorological Centre has issued an orange alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms in parts of Assam as Northeast India faces severe flooding. Over 5.5 lakh people are affected, with 36 deaths reported. Authorities blame dam water release and continue relief efforts amid widespread displacement.