Millions of homes underwater as massive floods hit parts of India and Bangladesh
Image credit: شهيد الشيخ
Massive floods affecting northeastern India and Bangladesh over the past couple of days have left at least 18 people dead and millions of homes underwater.
At least 9 people died in India’s Assam state, as of Saturday, June 18, 2022, bringing the number of people killed in this year’s floods and landslides to 55.
An estimated 2 million people saw their homes flooded in Assam alone while more than 1 million people are currently taking shelter in 373 relief camps.
A total of 2 930 villages have been affected after the Brahmaputra River breached its banks in 28 of Assam’s 33 districts. 43 338 ha (107 362 acres) of cropland have been affected and at least 410 animals were washed away.
Meanwhile, a boat carrying flood-affected people capsized in the Hojai district, leaving three children missing.
“The volume of rainfall has been unprecedented,” said Sanjay O’Neil, an official at the meteorological station in Gauhati, adding that they expect moderate to heavy rainfall in several parts of Assam until Sunday, June 19.
Another 8 people died in different lighting-related incidents across parts of neighboring Bangladesh on June 17. The worst affected districts there are along the Indian border.
Dhaka’s flood forecasting and warning center said water levels in all major rivers across the country are rising.
The worst is expected in Sunamganj and Sylhet districts in the north-eastern region, as well as in Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Rangpur districts in northern Bangladesh.
References:
1 Severe floods in India and Bangladesh kill at least 18, millions of villagers lose homes – AP – June 18, 2022
2 Assam reels under devastating floods, PM Modi dials Himanta – The Times of India – June 18, 2022
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
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