New Delhi: In a tragic turn of events, Northeast India has been battered by relentless rains, triggering devastating landslides, floods, flash floods, and lightning strikes that have claimed over 30 lives since May 29, 2025. The catastrophic weather events have left a trail of destruction across multiple states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Sikkim, with additional reports of landslides in Karnataka. According to the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Landslide Atlas of India, approximately 12.6% of the country’s geographical area, excluding snow-covered regions (0.42 million sq km), is prone to landslides, making India one of the top four landslide-prone countries globally.
Understanding Landslides: Causes and Vulnerability
A landslide is defined as the movement of rocks, soil, or debris downhill under the influence of gravity, often classified by the type of movement (slides, flows, spreads, topples, or falls) and material involved (rock or debris). The causes of landslides are multifaceted, encompassing both natural and anthropogenic factors. Natural triggers include groundwater pressure, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and heavy rainfall, while human activities such as deforestation, construction, and vibrations from machinery or traffic exacerbate the risk. In India, the Northwest Himalayas account for 66.5% of landslides, followed by the Northeast Himalayas (18.8%) and the Western Ghats (14.7%), highlighting the severe vulnerability of these regions.
The recent torrential rains in Northeast India have amplified these risks, with rivers, rivulets, and streams swelling to dangerous levels, further destabilizing hilly terrains. The National Landslide Risk Management Strategy guidelines of 2019 emphasize hazard mapping, monitoring, and early warning systems, while the National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM) initiative aims to create a dynamic geodatabase for India. Additionally, the Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme (LRMS) by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) provides financial support for site-specific mitigation projects, underscoring the government’s efforts to address this recurring threat.
Catastrophic Impact in Northeast India: State-by-State Breakdown
Arunachal Pradesh: Seven Lives Lost in Tragic Landslide
In Arunachal Pradesh’s East Kameng district, a devastating landslide on May 31, 2025, claimed the lives of seven people, including four children and two pregnant women, when their vehicle plummeted into a deep gorge while traveling from Bana to Seppa, the district headquarters. Another vehicle narrowly escaped the same fate, with its passengers alerting local authorities, who worked through the night to recover the bodies. Earlier, on May 29, two laborers perished in a separate landslide along the Ziro-Kamle Road in Lower Subansiri district, with two others rescued. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed profound grief and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹4 lakh for each of the nine landslide victims. He urged residents to avoid travel during heavy rains, particularly at night, and to steer clear of swollen rivers and vulnerable areas.
Assam: Guwahati Reels Under Landslides and Floods
Assam, particularly its capital Guwahati, has been severely affected, with landslides striking three localities on the night of May 30, 2025, killing five people, including children. Three of these fatalities occurred in the Bonda area on the city’s eastern edge. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported that incessant rainfall led to floods affecting 26,487 people across 11 districts in the past 24 hours, with three additional deaths, including a minor, in Golaghat district due to rising waters. Guwahati, a city surrounded by hills, has seen widespread flooding, with images of residents wading through waterlogged streets capturing the severity of the crisis.
Mizoram: Flash Floods and Landslides Claim Lives
Mizoram, described as one of the worst-affected states, reported four deaths on May 31, 2025. In Champhai district, flash floods swept away five members of a refugee family from Myanmar; two were rescued, but three perished. A 55-year-old man was killed in a landslide in Serchhip district, where at least five houses were destroyed. Another man was buried alive in Aizawl’s Thuampui locality on May 30, and multiple landslides in Lawngtlai district damaged several houses and a hotel, though two trapped individuals were rescued.
Meghalaya: Lightning and Drowning Add to Death Toll
Meghalaya’s death toll rose to six, with three additional fatalities reported on May 31, 2025. Two minor girls lost their lives to a lightning strike in West Garo Hills district, while a 36-year-old man drowned in the Umlew River in Ri-Bhoi district. Earlier, between May 29 and May 30, three deaths were reported due to landslides and flash floods, contributing to the state’s growing toll.
Manipur: Floods and Landslides Disrupt Normalcy
In Manipur, the capital Imphal faced severe flooding as the Imphal River breached the danger mark. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inspected the affected areas, while the state government reported landslides in the hill districts of Noney, Pherzawl, Tamenglong, and Ukhrul. Fast-flowing rivers in Kangpokpi district damaged numerous houses, adding to the state’s challenges.
Sikkim: Landslides Claim Army Personnel and Tourists
Sikkim faced a double tragedy, with a landslide on June 1, 2025, striking a military camp in Chhaten, near Lachen town in Mangan district, killing three army personnel and leaving six soldiers missing. The landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, prompted rescue operations that were hampered by rising river levels and steep terrain. Additionally, on May 29, a tourist vehicle carrying 11 passengers fell 1,000 feet into the Teesta River, leaving nine people missing, including Itishree Jena, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha leader from Odisha. Two rescued passengers are battling for their lives in a hospital in Gangtok. Over 1,000 tourists trapped in Sikkim are being evacuated, with rescue efforts ongoing despite challenging conditions.
Karnataka and Beyond: A Broader Crisis
While the document does not provide specific details on landslides in Karnataka, it mentions the state in the context of the broader crisis, suggesting that similar rain-induced disasters have occurred. The Western Ghats, which contribute 14.7% to India’s landslides, likely played a role in Karnataka’s vulnerability, with heavy rains exacerbating risks in this region.
National Response and Mitigation Efforts
The Indian government and state authorities have mobilized to address the crisis. In Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Khandu’s appeal for caution and financial aid for victims reflects a proactive response. In Assam, the ASDMA is closely monitoring the situation, providing updates on affected populations and coordinating relief efforts. Sikkim’s evacuation of stranded tourists and ongoing rescue operations demonstrate the urgency of the response, despite logistical challenges posed by rising river levels and inaccessible terrain.
Nationally, the NDMA’s Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme and the NLSM are critical tools for addressing landslide risks. The 2019 National Landslide Risk Management Strategy emphasizes early warning systems and hazard mapping, which are vital for reducing future casualties. However, the scale of the current disaster underscores the need for enhanced infrastructure, stricter land-use policies, and greater public awareness to mitigate risks in landslide-prone areas.
Weather Updates and Broader Context
As of June 2, 2025, the Northeast continues to grapple with the monsoon’s fury, with a Reuters report citing a death toll of at least 34, though this figure could not be independently verified by Hindustan Times. Meanwhile, Delhi is under a yellow alert for possible thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, indicating a contrast between the heat and dust storms in northern India and the deluge in the Northeast.
Conclusion: A Call for Resilience and Preparedness
The devastating landslides and floods in Northeast India and Karnataka highlight the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies. With over 30 lives lost and thousands affected, the crisis underscores the vulnerability of India’s hilly regions to extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change and human activities. As rescue and relief operations continue, the focus must shift toward long-term solutions, including improved early warning systems, sustainable land-use practices, and community education to prevent future tragedies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What caused the recent landslides and floods in Northeast India and Karnataka?
The landslides and floods in Northeast India and Karnataka were primarily triggered by heavy, incessant rainfall starting May 29, 2025. Natural causes like groundwater pressure and heavy rains destabilized hilly terrains, while anthropogenic factors such as deforestation and construction may have exacerbated the situation. According to the document, India’s vulnerability is high, with 12.6% of its geographical area (0.42 million sq km) prone to landslides, particularly in the Northeast Himalayas and Western Ghats.
2. Which states were most affected by the recent rain-induced disasters?
The most affected states in Northeast India include Arunachal Pradesh (nine deaths), Assam (eight deaths), Mizoram (four deaths), Meghalaya (six deaths), Manipur (landslides and flooding reported), and Sikkim (three army personnel killed, six missing). Karnataka was also mentioned as affected, though specific details on casualties were not provided. The disasters included landslides, floods, flash floods, and lightning strikes.
3. What is the death toll from the recent disasters in Northeast India?
As of June 2, 2025, the death toll from rain-induced disasters in Northeast India is reported to be over 30. On May 31, 2025, 22 people died across Assam (8), Arunachal Pradesh (7), Mizoram (4), and Meghalaya (3), with eight additional deaths reported between May 29 and May 30. A Reuters report cited 34 deaths, though this could not be independently verified. Additionally, three army personnel died in a landslide in Sikkim on June 1, 2025.
4. What measures are being taken to address the crisis and prevent future landslides?
Immediate response measures include rescue operations, evacuation of over 1,000 tourists in Sikkim, and ex-gratia payments of ₹4 lakh per victim in Arunachal Pradesh. Long-term strategies include the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (2019) for hazard mapping and early warning systems, the National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM) for a dynamic geodatabase, and the Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme (LRMS) by the NDMA, which funds site-specific mitigation projects. Authorities are also urging residents to avoid travel during heavy rains and to relocate from vulnerable areas.
5. How are landslides classified, and why is India so prone to them?
Landslides are classified by the type of movement (slides, flows, spreads, topples, or falls) and material involved (rock or debris). India’s high landslide risk is due to its topography, with 66.5% of landslides occurring in the Northwest Himalayas, 18.8% in the Northeast Himalayas, and 14.7% in the Western Ghats, as per ISRO’s Landslide Atlas of India. Natural triggers like heavy rains and earthquakes, combined with human activities such as deforestation and construction, make India one of the top four landslide-prone countries globally.
