Key facts
- A 97-year-old woman, Lokada Duarah, was rescued from severe floods in Assam, India, using a raft made of banana trunks.
- The floods have affected nearly 1.2 million people, with a death toll of at least 100.
- Bornali Baruah, the woman's daughter-in-law, lost a significant portion of her livestock farm.
- Experts cite increased rainfall, sediment load, and human encroachment on floodplains as causes for the intensified flooding.
- Baruah intends to adapt to the increased flood risk by modifying her home and preparing supplies.
In the face of severe flooding in India's northeastern state of Assam, a 97-year-old woman, Lokada Duarah, was rescued from her inundated home using a makeshift raft constructed from banana trunks. The incident occurred in Charing village, Sivasagar district, one of the worst-hit areas, where floodwaters rose to several feet deep.
Bornali Baruah, Duarah's daughter-in-law and a former journalist who transitioned to animal husbandry, described the harrowing experience of lifting her bedridden mother-in-law onto the raft. They navigated the strong currents for an hour to reach a shelter camp on a national highway. Baruah's home, which had never flooded before in her lifetime, was submerged, and she lost a significant portion of her livestock farm, including goats, ducks, and chickens, as well as farm equipment and personal belongings.
The floods have been particularly devastating across Assam, with official figures indicating at least 100 deaths and nearly 1.2 million people affected across 25 districts. Over 19,000 houses have been damaged, and more than 75,000 people are residing in relief camps. The severity of the recent floods has been attributed to continuous heavy rainfall, increased sediment deposition in rivers, and factors such as increased human settlement on floodplains, deforestation, and mining.
Experts like Dhrubajyoti Sahariah, a geography professor, note that while flooding is natural in the Brahmaputra Valley, the frequency and intensity have increased beyond historical norms. He emphasizes the need for basin-scale planning and better inter-state coordination to manage the rivers effectively.
Despite the destruction, Baruah expressed her determination to remain in Charing and adapt to the new reality of increased flood risk. She is considering raising her house and preparing emergency supplies to coexist with the floods, stating that life will return to normal once economic and mental strength are regained.