Assam, a flood-prone state in northeastern India, is on high alert as it prepares for additional rain in the coming days as a result of the ongoing flooding induced by recent rainfall. Over 600,000 people have been affected by the state's continuous floods, which have killed at least 34 people. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has emphasized the importance of the next days, citing forecasts from India's meteorological agency that predict heavier rain in particular areas.
Historically, Assam has suffered severe destruction during the monsoon season due to widespread floods along its large river network. Floods displaced almost four million people in 2022, killing at least 45 persons. The latest floods have decimated communities, ruined crops, and damaged houses not just in Assam, but also in neighboring Bangladesh.
As of Monday, the Assam Disaster Management Authority said that all main rivers in the state have reached danger thresholds at several sites, affecting at least 19 of the 35 districts. Relief operations are beginning, with thousands of people seeking refuge in relief centers spread across the state. Heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh and certain regions of Assam has intensified what he called a "second wave of flooding," raising fears for the next three to four days.
Wildlife habitats have also been impacted by the floods, notably Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site noted for its population of Great Indian one-horned rhinoceroses. Flood floods have caused animals to relocate from wooded regions to higher ground, prompting wildlife conservation measures in the middle of the disaster. State and national disaster relief teams are ready to help, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised the state administration federal aid if the situation worsens.
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued warnings of extremely heavy rainfall in Assam and neighboring Meghalaya until Friday, highlighting persistent challenges and the need for continuous attention and readiness in dealing with the flood disaster.
