Monsoon Floods Ravage North India as Death Toll Climbs

Guwahati: Relentless monsoon rains have hammered multiple states, leaving a trail of destruction from the Northeast to the foothills of the Himalayas. Assam reports 11 dead as floodwaters swallow 758 villages across 11 districts, impacting over 3.10 lakh people. The Brahmaputra, Dikhow, Desang, and Dhansiri rivers have surged past danger marks.

Rail traffic remains paralyzed in Upper Assam for a second day after tracks submerged. The Northeast Frontier Railway cancelled, diverted, and short-terminated numerous trains. Relief teams from the Army, NDRF, SDRF, and fire services are battling the rising water. Sivasagar district is drowning. All 14 municipal wards and 27 gram panchayats are submerged, affecting 400 villages. MLA Akhil Gogoi spent the night in flooded areas, urging officials to expedite aid. He stated, "Ensure the timely distribution of relief materials and extend all necessary assistance to people stranded by the floods."

Arunachal Pradesh faces fresh misery in five districts. Siang, Papum Pare, West Kameng, Kamle, and Lower Siang have seen severe damage across six administrative circles. Nearly 1.49 lakh people remain affected by the ongoing deluge. In Nagaland, the tragedy in Mon district deepened as rescuers pulled five more bodies from debris. The state death toll hit nine, with four still missing. Heavy rains impacted 7,460 people across 93 villages.

Northern India is also reeling. Jammu and Kashmir report at least 23 deaths and seven missing since Sunday. Flash floods destroyed homes, shops, and vehicles. Himachal Pradesh dealt with a cloudburst that washed away six houses. The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert, forcing the closure of schools and colleges in Kangra, Mandi, and Sirmaur. Landslides blocked National Highway-5 in Kinnaur. Authorities in Uttarakhand restarted the Char Dham Yatra after clearing debris, and the Dehradun-Mussoorie road opened for light vehicles.