The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, issued widespread heavy rainfall forecasts for several Northeastern states through 14 July, with Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura placed under active weather alerts. The forecast comes as flash floods and landslides in Arunachal Pradesh have already claimed four lives, injured 21 others, and displaced more than 94,200 people across 26 districts.

IMD Forecast and Alert Levels

According to the IMD, Assam and Meghalaya are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall — with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places — on Wednesday and again during 10–14 July. Arunachal Pradesh faces isolated heavy rainfall during the same 10–14 July window.

Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are forecast to receive heavy rainfall at isolated places through 14 July. In Tripura, the IMD's Meteorological Centre in Agartala issued an Orange Warning for Wednesday covering West Tripura, Khowai, Dhalai, and Gomati districts, while a Yellow Alert was issued for the remaining four districts. Yellow alerts are also in effect for all eight Tripura districts on 9 July and for five districts on 10 July.

Flood and Landslide Damage in Arunachal Pradesh

Fresh rain spells have triggered extensive flooding and landslides across Arunachal Pradesh. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Itanagar, Changlang district experienced severe landslides and flooding, while Upper Subansiri and Upper Siang districts were also severely affected. A rockfall incident was additionally reported from East Kameng district.

Official figures confirm four deaths, 21 injuries, and two women still reported missing. The State Disaster Management Authority and district administrations are conducting ongoing rescue, relief, and restoration operations across the affected areas.

Disruption in Tripura

Normal life was disrupted across several parts of Tripura after heavy to very heavy rainfall began on Tuesday evening. Waterlogging was reported from low-lying areas, and traffic movement was affected at multiple locations. The situation is being closely monitored by state authorities.

Context: A Monsoon Season Marked by Deficiency

The Southwest Monsoon had advanced into substantial parts of the Northeastern region on 7 June — two days later than its normal onset date — and covered the entire Northeast by 10 June, according to IMD officials in Guwahati and Agartala.

Notably, despite the current intense spell, the Northeast recorded a rainfall deficiency of more than 40 per cent in June, the opening month of the four-month monsoon season. Seven of the eight Northeastern states — all except Sikkim — logged this deficit, attributed to weak rain-bearing systems over the Bay of Bengal, the absence of active monsoon troughs, and the influence of El Niño conditions. Sikkim alone recorded excess rainfall in June, receiving 515.9 mm against a normal of 438.2 mm.

An IMD official has further indicated that the monthly average rainfall across the country in July 2026 is most likely to remain below normal, at less than 94 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA). With flood-hit districts still under active rescue operations and more heavy rain on the way, the situation across the Northeast is expected to remain critical through mid-July.