At least 34 people have died in India’s northeastern states over the past four days as torrential rains triggered severe flooding and landslides, authorities and local media reported on Monday. The Indian Meteorological Department has warned that more heavy rainfall is expected in the coming days, raising further concerns for the already hard-hit region.
In the Himalayan state of Sikkim, more than a thousand stranded tourists were being evacuated on Monday, according to a government statement. In Meghalaya state, Indian Army rescue teams were deployed to rescue over 500 people trapped in floodwaters.
Neighbouring Bangladesh has also suffered from the same weather system. In the northeastern district of Sylhet, at least four members of a single family were killed in a landslide on Sunday. Authorities have opened hundreds of emergency shelters in the hilly districts of Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari, and are urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert for more landslides and flash floods.
Both India’s northeast and Bangladesh are particularly vulnerable to heavy monsoon rains that cause deadly floods and landslides almost annually, displacing millions and destroying infrastructure.
In Assam’s Silchar city, floodwaters have inundated homes and roads, with scenes of submerged streets and fallen trees captured by Indian news agency ANI. Residents are struggling to cope.
“We are facing a lot of challenges. I have a child, their bed is submerged in water. What will we do in such a situation? We keep ourselves awake throughout the night,” said Sonu Devi, a Silchar resident, speaking to ANI.
Authorities across the region are on high alert as efforts to provide aid and rescue continue, with weather forecasts indicating no immediate relief from the rains.
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