Northeast Monsoon Havoc: Assam-Meghalaya Link Road Destroyed

Torrential rains have unleashed widespread devastation across Northeast India, claiming at least 30 lives and severely damaging critical infrastructure. The relentless downpours have triggered flash floods and landslides, with one of the most significant impacts being the destruction of a vital section of National Highway-17 (NH-17) near Boko and Chaygaon, severing the key road link between Assam and Meghalaya.

In Assam, eight people have lost their lives, while Arunachal Pradesh reported seven deaths, Mizoram four, and Meghalaya three, as per official data reported . The heavy rainfall, compounded by water flowing from Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, has inundated 17 districts in Assam, affecting over 78,000 people. In Meghalaya, approximately 1,100 residents across 49 villages have been impacted by landslides, flash floods, and power outages.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red and orange alerts for parts of Assam, signaling continued heavy rainfall in the coming days, with orange and yellow alerts for other northeastern states. This ongoing monsoon fury has disrupted transportation networks, stranding vehicles and exacerbating the challenges faced by local communities.

Rescue operations are underway, with the Assam Rifles joining efforts in Tripura’s Agartala. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, but the combination of intense rainfall and compromised infrastructure continues to pose significant hurdles for the region.