When the Rains Don’t Stop: Assam and the Northeast Cry for Relief
In the lush, green expanse of Northeast India—where rivers usually dance gently through the valleys and monsoon showers are welcomed as life-giving—nature has taken a devastating turn. Over the past few days, relentless rainfall has battered Assam and its neighbouring states, turning familiar roads into rivers and serene hills into landslide zones. For thousands, this monsoon has brought not life, but loss.
Water Everywhere, Hope Nowhere
In Assam alone, over 78,000 people are grappling with floodwaters that have swallowed homes, fields, and memories. The Brahmaputra and nine other rivers have breached danger levels, surging with fury. From Dibrugarh to Hailakandi, village after village has disappeared beneath muddy waters. Stranded and frightened, people cling to rooftops, waiting for rescue—or simply for a moment of relief.
“We face floods every year, but this time, it came so fast. We had no time to save anything—just our children,” said a resident of Majuli, the flood-prone island district, her voice heavy with despair.
Transport has ground to a halt. Roads have collapsed, train routes are suspended, and ferry services on the mighty Brahmaputra have been cancelled. For many, this means no access to food, medicine, or even dry land.
Guwahati’s Grief: Landslides and Loss
In Guwahati, Assam’s bustling capital, the monsoon has turned deadly. Torrential rains triggered landslides that killed five people, leaving behind grieving families and shocked neighbourhoods. The Assam government has announced ₹4 lakh in ex-gratia compensation for each affected family—yet no amount can fill the void.
“Just a night before, we were having dinner together,” recalled a friend of one of the victims, tears choking her words. “And then… the hill came down.”
Much of the city remains waterlogged. In almost every part of Guwahati, flooding has choked roads and homes. While the authorities rush to mobilise relief supplies and rescue teams, local volunteers—‘Nagar Bandhus’ and ‘Apada Mitras’—have emerged as silent heroes. They help the elderly, distribute dry food, and bring comfort where hope seems lost.
A Daring Rescue in Arunachal
Meanwhile, in Arunachal Pradesh, a tense drama unfolded with a miraculous ending. Fourteen workers stranded on a small riverine island surrounded by the raging Dibang River had lost all contact with the outside world. For two days, they held onto each other and hope.
That hope turned into joy when an Indian Air Force helicopter, dispatched from Chabua airbase in Dibrugarh, arrived. “We didn’t think we’d make it,” said one of the rescued men. “That helicopter was a miracle.”
More Rain Ahead—But So Is Resilience
Red and yellow weather alerts remain active for Assam, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh, with forecasts predicting more heavy rainfall in the coming days. Residents of low-lying and hilly regions are bracing for what lies ahead.
But even as the floodwaters rise, something stronger runs through the Northeast—resilience. From rescue workers who haven’t slept in days, to mothers cooking on makeshift stoves, from children assisting the elderly to strangers offering shelter—the human spirit, compassion, and community are the true lifeboats holding Assam and the Northeast together.
