Six of the seven states in northeast India have been flooded following unabated rains since the past three days. The states are witnessing heavy rains despite the met department's prediction that the northeastern part of India would get much lesser rains this monsoon compared to previous years.
Assam saw the maximum rise in water levels, thanks to the hills of Arunachal Pradesh, while Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram was struck with lightening and heavy rains. Sikkim is the only state in the northeast region that is yet to be affected by the heavy rainfalls.
Two persons, including a four-year-old child, died in Bilonia and Sabroom, 50 km off Tripura capital Agartala. A team has been sent to areas inundated by the heavy rainfalls.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb said almost all districts have been affected by the monsoons. “I have sent relief materials and personally visited many places,” said Deb. Earlier this week, Deb was seen wading through flooded areas in Agartala. He has also asked his ministers to visit the flood-hit areas. Revenue minister N.C. Debbarma said the Centre has been informed about the flood situation of Tripura.
In Manipur, East Imphal has been completely inundated by floods resulting in the closure of all schools in the district. The remaining part of the states like Imphal West, Thoubal and Vishnupur have also been hit by incessant rains.
The hills of Manipur received huge rainfalls resulting in flow of water down the plains. Similar situation prevailed in northern Assam, also being hit badly by rain waters coming from Arunachal Pradesh. Schools in Tezpur have been shut down in Assam. Heavy rainfalls in Bangladesh have also turned the situation grim for Assam, which saw lakhs of people going homeless due to floods last year.
High alert has been issued across the state by the Assam government and officials have been asked not to go on leave. An official of the Assam government said senior ministers from the Centre are taking stock of the situation in northeastern states.
Several trains from northeast bound for West Bengal and Bihar have been stranded at different stations. Many trains from Kolkata have already been cancelled, said railway sources.