India, July 22 -- At least six people lost their lives in rain-related incidents across the northeastern states on Tuesday as floods, landslides and flash floods continued to wreak havoc, disrupting transport services, damaging homes, agricultural land and public infrastructure. Heavy rainfall also affected normal life in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, prompting authorities to shut educational institutions, suspend traffic on key roads and intensify rescue operations. In Assam, the flood toll rose to 11 after one person died in Charaideo district. More than 3.10 lakh people remained affected across 758 villages in 11 districts, including Sivasagar, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Golaghat and Tinsukia.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Dikhow, Desang and Dhansiri, were flowing above the danger mark, with the Dikhow and Desang crossing the "extreme flood level" in Sivasagar district. The Dhansiri River was in a "severe flood situation" at Numaligarh in Golaghat district, while the Brahmaputra and Buridihing rivers also remained in spate. Floodwaters also disrupted railway operations for the second consecutive day after tracks were submerged in Upper Assam. The Northeast Frontier Railway cancelled, diverted or short-terminated several trains and operated special services to assist stranded passengers.
In neighbouring Nagaland, the death toll from flash floods and landslides in Mon district climbed to nine after five more bodies were recovered. Four persons remain missing, with search operations continuing. Preliminary reports indicated that at least 7,460 people have been affected, while 64 houses in 93 villages across 10 districts have suffered damage. Authorities said infrastructure, agricultural land and public utilities had been extensively affected, with the scale of destruction likely to increase as assessments continue. Fresh flooding also hit five districts of Arunachal Pradesh during the last 24 hours. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, Siang, Papum Pare, West Kameng, Kamle and Lower Siang districts reported fresh inundation and rain-related damage, affecting six administrative circles. Floodwaters submerged Kallek village in Siang district, while several villages also reported damage. The ongoing monsoon has affected nearly 1.49 lakh people across the state.
In Jammu and Kashmir, heavy rains lashed several parts of the Jammu region as rescue teams continued searching for seven missing persons in the worst-hit Poonch and Rajouri districts. Himachal Pradesh also witnessed widespread disruption due to intense rainfall. Six houses were washed away in a cloudburst. The India Meteorological Department's red alert prompted authorities to close all schools and colleges in Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur districts, while educational institutions also remained shut in Theog, Salooni and Nirmand subdivisions. Landslides blocked the old Hindustan-Tibet Road (National Highway-5) at two locations in Kinnaur district, disrupting vehicular traffic.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.