IMPHAL, June 5: As Sikkim and Manipur continue to reel under the impact of incessant rainfall, flash floods, and landslides, Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Tuesday assured full support from the Central Government for ongoing relief and recovery efforts.
Scindia said he spoke with Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and extended the Centre’s commitment to assist in every possible way. “Spoke to Sikkim CM PS Tamang Golay regarding the flood and landslide situation caused by heavy rains in the state and assured him of every possible support from the Central Government,” Scindia posted on X.
Sikkim has formally declared the extensive damage in Mangan district, triggered by unrelenting rainfall since May 28, as a “disaster” under Section 22(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. In one of the most tragic incidents, a landslide in the Chaten area of Lachen claimed the lives of three Army personnel, while six others remain missing.
A devastating cloudburst and heavy rains on the night of May 30–31 caused widespread destruction in North Sikkim. Key roads and bridges were severely damaged, while the Teesta River swelled by nearly 40 feet, disrupting regional connectivity. On Tuesday, Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur visited the flood-ravaged Indreni Bridge in Singtam to assess the situation first-hand.
In light of the worsening conditions, the state’s Tourism and Civil Aviation Department has issued advisories, urging tourists to remain updated with official bulletins regarding road closures and weather alerts.
Meanwhile, Scindia also spoke with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and assured similar support from the Centre. “We stand committed to supporting the affected people and ensuring timely relief and recovery,” he noted.
The Indian Armed Forces and disaster response teams have ramped up their operations across both states. In Manipur and Tripura, the Assam Rifles has deployed ten columns under Operation Jal Rahat II to carry out rescue, relief, and medical assistance missions. An additional column remains on standby at Haflong to respond to emerging situations.
In one notable operation on Monday, combined teams of the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, NDRF, SDRF, and the Manipur Fire Service successfully evacuated stranded students and staff from the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal, which had been severely affected by waterlogging.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also taken stock of the situation. He spoke with Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to review the ongoing flood crisis. The Prime Minister conveyed the Centre’s full support and commitment to assist with relief, rehabilitation, and restoration.
Following the call, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the Prime Minister had expressed deep concern and pledged comprehensive support to ensure effective relief operations in the flood-affected states.
