Heavy monsoon rains continued to batter large parts of the Northeast, disrupting infrastructure in Meghalaya and prompting authorities in Manipur to issue a high alert over the growing risk of floods, landslides and road blockages.
In Meghalaya, Mawsynram in East Khasi Hills district recorded an extraordinary 530 mm of rainfall in just 24 hours, underlining its status as one of the wettest places on Earth. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the rainfall received in a single day was comparable to the amount many arid regions in western India receive over several months.
The downpour was not limited to Mawsynram. RKM Sohra recorded 470 mm of rainfall, while Mawkyrwat received 390 mm. Other locations also witnessed substantial precipitation, including Shella (100 mm), Williamnagar (90 mm), Mawryngkneng (90 mm), Jowai (80 mm), and Barapani and Ratacherra with 70 mm each.
The relentless rain has already begun affecting infrastructure. A portion of the Shillong-Dawki national highway was damaged after rainwater eroded a section of the road near Laitlyngkot, around 35 kilometres from Shillong.
Officials said the damaged stretch disrupted traffic movement towards Dawki, an important town near the India-Bangladesh border. No casualties have been reported, but authorities are assessing the extent of the damage.
Teams from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and construction agencies have been deployed to carry out emergency restoration work and ensure the resumption of normal traffic movement.
Also read: Monsoon anomaly: Rajasthan records excess rain, Maharashtra dry
Meanwhile, neighbouring Manipur has been placed on heightened alert as persistent monsoon rains continue to affect Senapati district. The district administration has warned residents about the possibility of flash floods, landslides and road blockages in vulnerable areas.
On the other hand, heavy monsoon showers battered Arunachal Pradesh's capital, Itanagar, triggering widespread waterlogging and flooding in several localities, with Officer's Colony on Zoo Road among the worst-hit areas.
According to IMD forecasts, widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is likely to continue over the coming days. Authorities said prolonged rainfall has left the soil heavily saturated, significantly increasing the risk of landslips in the district's hilly terrain.
Residents living near riverbanks and in landslide-prone areas have been advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions. Commuters have also been urged to avoid unnecessary travel on hilly roads during periods of intense rainfall.
Disaster management teams have been kept on standby, while officials continue to monitor vulnerable locations across both states as the southwest monsoon gathers strength across the Northeast.
Follow us
