The Northeast of India is once again grappling with nature’s fury as relentless monsoon rains wreak havoc across Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Sikkim. Flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall have claimed lives, displaced thousands, and crippled transportation networks. Over 3.64 lakh people across 19 districts in Assam alone have been affected, with the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers breaching danger levels at multiple points. Torrential downpours, caused by a depression over north Bangladesh and Meghalaya, have laid bare the vulnerability of the region’s infrastructure during the monsoon season. The devastation highlights a grim annual ritual: destruction brought on by a lethal combination of natural and man-made factors. Floods in Northeast India demand more than piecemeal responses-they require a coordinated, sustained effort from all state governments, backed by the Centre’s financial and technical intervention. While the region’s economic development has rightly gained momentum under the “Act East” policy, the vision of progress often falters under the weight of monsoon devastation. Each year, as torrential rains inundate the region, infrastructure projects are stalled, connectivity is severed, and livelihoods are disrupted-reducing ambitious development initiatives to mere placeholders in the face of recurring natural calamities. Experts have long urged the adoption of climate-resilient infrastructure and better disaster preparedness. Yet, implementation remains patchy. Efforts do exist. State governments, supported by the Centre, routinely carry out relief work, build embankments, and deploy emergency services. Local authorities are working on war footing to rescue and provide food and medical aid to the affected flood victims. Yet, much of this response remains reactive-focused on managing disasters after they occur, rather than preventing them. Financial constraints, limited technical expertise, and coordination challenges-both between states and with neighboring countries-hamper proactive planning. Corruption, delays, and poor maintenance of flood control structures further weaken the impact of whatever measures are implemented. The region’s chronic monsoon misery calls for a strategic shift-from short-term relief to long-term resilience. Preventing floods in Northeast India is a shared responsibility that involves coordinated planning among local communities, state and central governments, and even cross-border cooperation. The region doesn’t need more promises; it needs durable solutions-better urban planning, stricter environmental regulations, and substantial investments in resilient infrastructure. Only then can there be some hope of breaking the cycle of devastation that returns with every monsoon. If the “Act East” policy is to truly uplift the Northeast, it must be underpinned by robust disaster preparedness and climate-resilient infrastructure. It is imperative that the Centre take the lead in preparing a comprehensive, long-term strategy—one that is inclusive, collaborative, and tailored to the unique geographical and ecological challenges of the region. Such a plan should involve all northeastern states and go beyond immediate relief to focus on reducing both the material and economic suffering of the people. Development cannot be sustainable if it remains vulnerable to seasonal collapse. What is needed now is a vision that integrates growth with resilience-one that places as much emphasis on flood management and environmental safeguards as on highways and trade corridors. Only then can the Northeast truly move forward, not just with ambition, but with security and stability.
Tuesday, July 1, 2025