GUWAHATI, India — Assam, a state in northeastern India, is grappling with severe flooding caused by persistent monsoon rains. Authorities reported that at least 50 lives have been lost and around 700,000 people have been forced to leave their homes.
The Brahmaputra River, one of Asia’s major rivers, has overflowed due to the heavy rains. This has led to extensive flooding in numerous villages, with almost 300,000 individuals now residing in emergency relief camps set up by the government.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma mentioned that aid efforts are underway, providing food and support to those affected, including supplies delivered via helicopters. Nearly 900 villages have been inundated, and thousands of homes are without electricity.
Rescue teams, including police and local volunteers, are actively working to help residents who have found themselves stranded. Jatin Gogoi, a farmer from Nazira, shared his plight as rising waters destroyed his home and livestock. “I lost everything. My family has nowhere to go, so we’re staying with relatives for now,” he explained.
The capital city of Assam, Guwahati, which has about two million residents, was also impacted by the flooding, with roads submerged and many commuters left stranded. Journalist Sudip Mazumdar described his experience: “I had to spend the night at my office because the roads were underwater, some reaching waist-deep.”
Experts warn that climate change is worsening the monsoon season in South Asia, which typically occurs from June to September and again from October to December. Unpredictable weather patterns are causing intense rainfall followed by dry periods, making flood situations more severe and challenging to manage.
