Floods hit hard, often without warning. One moment the streets look normal, and the next they are covered in water. Rivers spill over, drains choke, and people run around trying to save whatever they can. In coastal areas, storms push seawater in, and it feels like the land has disappeared.
In India, floods are a recurring challenge during the monsoon season. Bihar and Assam often see rivers rise quickly, displacing thousands of people. Cities like Mumbai and Chennai are not spared either, where heavy rains can leave streets submerged within hours. Homes are damaged, shops are flooded, and crops are destroyed. Animals are swept away, and contaminated water spreads disease.
The human impact is often the hardest. Families leave their homes with only what they can carry. Children miss school. People lose jobs and savings. Volunteers, rescue teams, and even the army step in with food, blankets, and medicines. Even after the water recedes, it can take weeks or months for life to return to normal.
Experts say planning and preparation can help. Stronger embankments, early warning systems, and preserving wetlands can reduce the damage. Yet, floods remain a test of patience and resilience.
For those caught in them, floods are more than water. They are fear, struggle, and survival. They are neighbors helping neighbors and communities coming together. And sometimes, after it all, a quiet strength and hope emerge from the chaos.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a massive public rally in Malda, West Bengal, where he sounded the poll bugle for the upcoming state elections. During his speech, the Prime Minister asserted that 'this time, the people of Bengal will also make the BJP victorious', citing recent electoral successes in Maharashtra and Bihar as evidence of a growing national trust in the BJP's development model. He flagged off India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train from Malda, calling it a major boost for regional connectivity. PM Modi launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, accusing it of being 'merciless' and 'an enemy of the poor' for allegedly blocking central schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. He further highlighted the issue of illegal immigration, promising that a BJP government would take 'big action' against infiltrators to protect the rights and land of local citizens while ensuring safety for refugees under the CAA.
In this report, India Today's Ritwik Bhalekar details the manifesto released by the Mahayuti alliance for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. A key and ambitious promise is the use of an AI tool to identify and remove illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya settlers from Mumbai. Bhalekar reports the alliance's prime focus will be using 'advanced technology and AI, they will be identifying the citizens in the coming years and they will free Mumbai from Rohingyas and Bangladeshis.' The manifesto also includes significant welfare schemes for women, such as a 50% concession on public bus fares and interest-free loans of up to five lakhs for those starting small businesses. The alliance is also promising a 'Slum Free' and 'Flood Free' city, shifting the election narrative beyond the typical Marathi versus non-Marathi debate.
A political dispute has ignited between the Karnataka and Kerala governments over a demolition drive in Bengaluru's Kogilu village, where around 300 allegedly illegal houses were razed, displacing approximately 1,500 people. The action drew sharp criticism from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who accused the Karnataka government of adopting a 'bulldozer policy'. The controversy intensified as CPI(M) MP John Brittas condemned alleged xenophobic remarks from Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. In response, Karnataka's Congress government defended its plan to provide 1BHK apartments to displaced families on 'humanitarian ground'. This move was labeled 'appeasement politics' by BJP Spokesperson Dr. Sudha Halkai, who questioned why flood-affected farmers in Kalburgi had not received similar aid. The BJP also accused the state government of taking directives from AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal, sparking a wider debate on administrative priorities and political influence.
In this Special Report, India Today’s Akshita Nandagopal anchors a debate on the political fallout of the Bengaluru demolition drive. The controversy intensified after AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal urged the Karnataka government to pause evictions on 'humanitarian grounds.' BJP Spokesperson Dr. Sudha Halkai attacks the move, terming it 'appeasement politics' and asking, 'Why these flats which were not given to the people of Karnataka?' She highlights the lack of relief for flood victims in Kalburgi. Countering her, KPCC Spokesperson Raghu Dodderi defends the government's stance, asserting, 'We consider them as Kannadigas' and emphasizing the state's duty to rehabilitate the displaced. The discussion explores the intersection of Karnataka's governance and the upcoming Kerala elections.
In a historic political shift, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has clinched the Mayor's post in Thiruvananthapuram for the first time. V.V. Rajesh was elected Mayor with 51 votes, ending the Left Democratic Front's (LDF) long-standing dominance in the Kerala capital. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) surged to 50 seats in the corporation polls, a significant rise from 35 in 2020. Speaking on the victory, Mayor V.V. Rajesh stated, 'We are going to solve the basic problems of the cities... waste management system and the flood issue.' He also confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the city within 45 days to address the corporation. G.S. Asha Nath has been elected Deputy Mayor.
In this special report, India Today's Pramod Madhav reports from Aziz Nagar in Kodambakkam, Chennai, where residents are facing severe difficulties due to waterlogging caused by the remnants of Cyclone Didwa. The reporter highlights that floodwater has entered homes, forcing officials to deploy 100 HP motor pumps to drain the area. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is seen inspecting the situation and interacting with officials to expedite relief measures. The transcript notes that while the stormwater drainage system was built to handle 12 centimetres of rainfall, the city has received over 15 centimetres, with predictions of up to 20 centimetres. Mayor Priya has assured that work is underway 24/7, and food packets are being distributed to affected residents. The report captures the ground reality of the deep depression's impact on Chennai's low-lying areas.
On this Special Report, BJP Tamil Nadu State Secretary Vinoj P. Selvam hits out at the DMK government over multiple issues. He criticizes Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin's remark that AIADMK leader K.A. Sengottaiyan's move to Vijay's TVK is merely a 'branch change' approved by Amit Shah. Selvam also attacks the state's handling of Chennai rains, alleging the Rs 5,000 crore flood mitigation project has failed. He further condemns DMK Minister I. Periyasamy's claim of voter deletion and welcomes the Madras High Court's order allowing Karthigai Deepam at Thiruparankundram, while slamming CPM MP Su. Venkatesan's opposition to it.
In this Special Report, India Today Global Editor Pranay Upadhyay details the evacuation of over 400 Indians from Sri Lanka following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwa (referred to as Deewa in the transcript). Upadhyay confirms, 'The Government of India via the Indian Mission in Colombo has assured that any Indian who is in distress... will be safely evacuated.' The transcript highlights that the Indian Air Force deployed C-130J and IL-76 aircraft for the operation. Additionally, the report notes that 12 people have been killed and 218 are missing in the island nation due to floods and landslides.
In this Special Report, an Unidentified speaker details India's humanitarian response to the devastation caused by the cyclone in Sri Lanka. Under 'Operation Sagar Bandhu', India has intensified relief efforts, airlifting 21 tons of critical supplies to Colombo. The speaker highlights dramatic rescue operations caught on camera, including the use of a 'Chetak Chopa' to save families stranded on rooftops. The report notes that the cyclone has affected approximately 1.4 lakh people and claimed over 100 lives, leaving a significant trail of destruction across the island nation.
In a live address from Puttaparthi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the ethos of 'seva' or service, attributing its central place in Indian culture to spiritual leaders like the late Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He commended the extensive charitable work of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust in healthcare, education, and disaster relief, including providing water to Rayalaseema and building homes after the Odisha floods. The Prime Minister also highlighted the government's Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, noting the Trust's initiative to open 20,000 new accounts for young girls under the scheme. Mr. Modi stated, 'Seva paramodharmah is the ethos that has sustained India through centuries of changes and challenges.'
This special report from Bihar's Purnia and Supol districts focuses on the key election issues of development and political rhetoric, featuring voter reactions to comments by the Prime Minister on infiltrators and Asaduddin Owaisi on minority representation. One resident, expressing years of frustration with their plight on the banks of the Kosi river, stated, 'I don't have any expectations from any political party, nor do I have any plans for the future.' The report contrasts high-pitched political campaigns with the ground reality in the Seemanchal and Kosi regions, where citizens demand jobs, industries to stop migration, and permanent rehabilitation from devastating annual floods. It highlights the daily struggle for survival, where families are separated from their farms by the river and children attend makeshift schools, hoping their vote will finally bring a change to their precarious existence.
This special report covers the happy news from Bollywood power couple Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal, who welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on Friday, November 7. The couple made the announcement with a joint statement on social media saying, 'Our bundle of joy has arrived'. The news was met with a flood of congratulatory messages from fans and prominent figures from the film industry. Celebrities such as Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shreya Ghoshal, and Parineeti Chopra were among those who commented on their post to congratulate the new parents. This report details the joyous announcement and the warm wishes from across the nation for Bollywood's newest parents.
This special report focuses on Bollywood stars Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal, who welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on Friday, November 7, 2025. The couple announced the news with a joint statement saying, 'Our bundle of joy has arrived. With immense love and gratitude, we welcome our baby boy'. The announcement prompted a flood of congratulatory messages from across the film industry. Fellow actors including Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Madhuri Dixit, and Parineeti Chopra were among the many celebrities who took to social media to share their best wishes with the new parents. Kaif and Kaushal, who married in December 2021, had announced their pregnancy in September 2025, calling it 'the best chapter of our lives'.
Typhoon Kalmaegi has claimed at least 66 lives and left 26 people missing in the central Philippines, with many casualties resulting from widespread flooding that stranded residents on rooftops and swept away numerous vehicles in a province still recovering from a deadly earthquake, news agency AP reported.
This special report focuses on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address in Bihar, covering major development plans for the Kosi region, including an ₹11,000 crore flood control project for the Kosi, Bagmati, and Gandak rivers. 'Main videsh mein jata hun na toh duniya ke itne bade-bade netaon ko bhi ye dibbha bhar kar ke makhala deta hun. Aur bade garv se kehta hun ki ye hai mere Bihar ke kisano ki kamai,' the Prime Minister stated, highlighting his efforts to promote local produce globally. The bulletin delves into the Kosi-Mechi river linking project, which aims to provide irrigation to over 2 lakh hectares of land. It also examines the NDA government's initiatives to support makhana and fish farmers through a dedicated Makhana Board and a separate ministry for the fisheries sector, while criticizing previous Congress and RJD governments for their inaction on persistent flooding.
This special report covers the severe flooding in Telangana's Hanamkonda and Warangal districts after incessant rains lashed the region. The report highlights the ongoing rescue operations by SDRF and NDRF teams, the inundation of colonies and a hospital in Kazipet, and the response from Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who is scheduled to conduct an aerial survey. A rescued student, Sakila, stated, 'They should maintain the proper area and nearby flooded region there should be no give permission to build these houses and should provide proper facilities.' The report captures the plight of stranded residents, with thousands awaiting relief as authorities work to evacuate them to safer locations.
This special report focuses on the aftermath of Cyclone Montha in seven coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and the disaster management efforts led by the government of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. An official stated, 'he has established the RTG center...he wanted to bring all the information from every department...to the one room and he was able to give them the instructions back.' The report details how the state administration, leveraging technology through the Real-Time Governance (RTG) Centre, managed relief and restoration works. It draws comparisons to past calamities like the 1996 cyclone, Hudhud, and Titli, highlighting the evolution of disaster response in the state. The government's preparedness, including the deployment of NDRF and SDRF teams and mobilisation of resources to mitigate damage and restore essential services like electricity, is also examined.
This special report focuses on Purnia MP Pappu Yadav, who has received a notice from the Income Tax Department after he was seen distributing cash to flood victims in Bihar's Vaishali district. Yadav claims the notice has 'labelled distributing money to help flood victims as a crime'. The department has asked the independent MP to disclose the source of the funds used for the relief work. This has led to a political row, with Yadav alleging a conspiracy and questioning the absence of local MP and Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, during the crisis. The action against Yadav also includes a case for violating the model code of conduct, as his cash distribution came ahead of assembly elections in the state.
India Today conducted a reality check in Chennai, riding a scooter through Medavakkam and Pallikaranai. Potholes, broken roads, and fallen wires put residents’ safety at risk, exposing poor civic preparedness for the monsoon.
This special report covers the severe floods ravaging several districts in Tamil Nadu, focusing on a dramatic rescue in Somandurai near Pollachi. After being stranded for hours by rising floodwaters inside the Anjaneyar temple, two guards were brought to safety by the Fire and Rescue team. According to India Today's Pramod Madhav, 'We've been told that for the next 48 hours or so, those districts are expected to have good amount of rainfall'. The situation remains critical as heavy rains, originating in the Western Ghats, continue to affect districts like Theni, Pollachi, and Coimbatore, with officials warning that the water level is not expected to recede soon. The entire daring rescue operation was captured on video.
