A flash flood of the river Siang in its upper reaches in the Tibetan region of China – in 2000 stirred a row over the causes of devastation in the East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Reports suggested that the flash floods were triggered  due to a possible dam breach in Tibet. China denied everything India had alleged.

Chingmeirong Maning, a small neighbourhood of the Imphal East. Traditionally, water protection and conservation system in the Imphal valley, mostly managed by the local community, known as leikai shinglup. One of its major tasks is to construct a pukhri, (community pond) to secure the...

Meghalaya’s native Khasi communities have a rich experience of grassroots democracy. Linda Chhakchhuak narrates her experience Laitkseh, a village, where the inhabitants were opposed to any commercial scale stone mining operation that they felt would lead to drying up of the water sources.

This newsletter is a monthly publication of the North East India Water Talks (NEIWT). We cover all aspects of water, including reports, paper clips, research papers, incidents, and activities done by different actors, such as government institutions, non-governmental organizations, etc.

In April 2025, the Northeast faced water scarcity, floods, and contamination, straining outdated infrastructure. Responses included hydropower revival, real-time monitoring, and green innovations. Climate change and tensions with Bangladesh and China deepened the crisis. Sustainable water management and regional cooperation are essential for long-term..

The Misings, the second-largest population among all the tribal groups in Assam, are the most resilient community in the floodplains. Despite being exposed to periodic natural calamities, they seem to have learnt well to adapt to the unpredictable riverine environment, and rebuild their lives. 

Boroks believe that the supreme God, the creator of the universe and mankind, resides in waters. Twima, or the goddess of water, is worshipped as a household as well as village deity, and rituals are carried out in the rivers or stream to propitiate the goddess. Similar beliefs exist in other indigenous communities of Tripura.