Severe flooding caused by incessant rain has devastated India’s northeastern state of Assam, affecting over 1.1 million people across 28 districts. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported on Wednesday that the relentless downpours have submerged new areas, worsening the situation for residents.
The death toll from the floods has tragically risen to 38, with three more lives lost on Tuesday. “While two people died in Tinsukia district, one individual drowned at Jonai in Dhemaji district. The overall death toll due to flooding has risen to 38,” an ASDMA official stated.
The widespread flooding has disrupted daily life, with thousands of families displaced and critical infrastructure damaged. Emergency services are working tirelessly to provide relief and evacuate those stranded. Schools and roads have been closed in the most affected areas, adding to the challenges faced by communities.
Authorities have set up relief camps to shelter displaced residents, and efforts are underway to distribute food, clean water, and medical aid. However, the scale of the disaster has stretched resources thin, prompting calls for additional support from the national government and international aid organizations.
The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries have swollen beyond danger levels, causing breaches in embankments and flooding vast tracts of agricultural land. Experts attribute the severity of the floods to a combination of heavy monsoon rains and environmental factors such as deforestation and riverbank erosion.
Local farmers are particularly hard-hit, with crops destroyed and livestock lost, threatening their livelihoods. “This is the worst flood we’ve seen in years,” said a resident of Tinsukia district. “Our homes are underwater, and we have nowhere to go.”
Environmentalists are urging for long-term solutions to address the recurring floods in Assam, including sustainable river management and infrastructure improvements. As the state grapples with this humanitarian crisis, the resilience and solidarity of the affected communities remain a beacon of hope.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
