- Assam faces a critical situation
- Over 600,000 people have been affected
- Wildlife is also under threat
India’s northeastern state of Assam faces a critical situation as it grapples with ongoing floods and braces for more rain in the coming days. Over 600,000 people have been affected by the deluge, with a death toll of at least 34.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma warned of potentially “critical” days ahead, with India’s weather department forecasting further rainfall across several districts. Assam is particularly vulnerable to flooding due to its extensive network of rivers, experiencing large-scale devastation during the monsoon season.
Last year alone, floods displaced over four million people and claimed at least 45 lives. The overflowing rivers wreaked havoc across Assam and neighboring Bangladesh, submerging villages, destroying crops, and leaving a trail of wrecked homes.
The situation has worsened with a “second wave of flooding” hitting the state, triggered by heavy rains in neighboring Arunachal Pradesh and some Assamese districts, according to the Assam Disaster Management Authority. As of Monday, all major rivers had crossed danger levels, impacting at least 19 of the state’s 35 districts. Thousands are currently seeking refuge in relief camps.
Fears are mounting as the coming three to four days could be crucial, depending on the severity of the predicted rainfall. Wildlife is also under threat, with floodwaters inundating parts of Kaziranga National Park, a World Heritage Site known for its one-horned rhinoceros population. Animals are being forced to migrate from forests to nearby hills for safety.
The state government, along with national disaster relief teams, are on high alert to assist those affected. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged the federal government’s support in case of a crisis. The Indian Meteorological Department predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall in Assam and neighboring Meghalaya until Friday.
