Key facts
- Assam is facing its worst floods in six decades.
- At least 68 people have died in the past month.
- Over 600,000 people have been affected by the floods.
- Tens of thousands have been displaced and are living in relief camps.
- Heavy rainfall, exacerbated by climate change and deforestation, is cited as a cause.
- Rescue and rehabilitation efforts are underway.
Assam, India, is grappling with its most severe floods in six decades, following exceptionally heavy rainfall that began in mid-July. The deluge has submerged vast swathes of the northeastern state, displacing hundreds of thousands and claiming at least 68 lives over the past month. Residents like Shalini Patra in Jorhat district recount losing their homes and all possessions within minutes as rivers, including the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, overflowed.
Experts attribute the worsening floods to a combination of factors, including upstream deforestation, aging embankments, and increased rainfall intensity linked to climate change. Rainfall in some affected districts reportedly exceeded normal levels by 435% to 490%. Upper Assam districts, such as Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat, have borne the brunt of the disaster, with rescue operations hampered by cut-off villages.
Government officials are coordinating relief and restoration efforts, prioritizing essential services and aid distribution. Stories of survival, like that of Rekhamoni Gogoi who spent 12 hours clinging to a mango tree with her son, highlight the extreme conditions faced by residents. As the waters begin to recede, the focus is shifting towards rehabilitation, though many, like Patra, face an uncertain future with the daunting task of rebuilding their lives and homes.