60 lives lost, hundreds of thousands displaced as widespread floods hit northeast India

The northeast region of India is reeling from catastrophic floods and landslides induced by relentless monsoon rains. The disaster has claimed at least 60 lives across multiple states, displaced hundreds of thousands, and caused extensive damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported that six people, including two children, drowned on July 4, bringing the death toll to 52 since May.

Over 2.1 million people have been affected across 29 districts, with more than 39 300 taking shelter in 247 relief camps.

Western Assam’s Dhubri and northern Assam’s Darrang are the worst affected districts where 649 000 and 190 000 people have been displaced.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited waterlogged areas to assess the situation, stated, “The breaching of at least eight strategic embankments worsened the flood situation, largely caused by heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan.” He added that smaller equipment would be needed to clean the drains in Dibrugarh and mentioned issues of encroachment.

The Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, has been severely affected, with floodwaters killing 31 animals, including 30 hog deer and one otter pup. Forest guards managed to rescue 82 animals, including a two-month-old rhino. “The situation improved in the last 24 hours with 95 of the 233 anti-poaching camps now underwater up to 1.5 m (5 feet),” a park official said.

Floodwaters have damaged hundreds of roads, dozens of bridges, and thousands of houses across Assam and Manipur.

Over 2 800 villages under 105 revenue circles remain submerged, with 39 451 hectares (97 477 acres) of crop area inundated in Assam.

The water levels of the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries breached danger levels, causing massive destruction in nearby areas.

“The flood situation in Assam’s Morigaon district is still grim as more than 55 000 people have been affected by the deluge,” said an official with Assam’s Morigaon District Administration. “Thousands of villagers are now taking shelter on embankments and roads after the flood waters entered their homes.”

Chandini Devi and Dipen Deka, two residents of the district reported living in makeshift tents on embankments for days.

“Many people lost their valuable goods in this flood, and household articles were also damaged. We have been living in the floodwaters for the last four days,” said Deka.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired a meeting on July 3 with all district commissioners, directing them to expedite relief efforts and complete all rehabilitation claims by August 15. The central government has pledged full support, offering additional manpower, boats, and life-saving materials to Assam and Manipur.

Heavy rainfall has caused havoc in other northeastern states. Officials in Arunachal Pradesh reported that at least seven districts, including Lohit, Changlang, Anjaw, and East Siang, have been cut off due to landslides.

Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura also suffered significant losses, with eight people, including two children, killed in rain-induced landslides and floods over the last 48 hours.

In Manipur, the Imphal River breached its embankment at Singjamei Oinam Thingel in Imphal West, and the Kongba River overflowed at Kongba Irong and parts of Keirao in Imphal East. “Severe flooding in Manipur is a fallout of the widespread deforestation, encroachment on the river banks, and mass poppy plantation,” said Minister Awangbow Newmai.

The Indian Army, Assam Rifles, state police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel are conducting extensive rescue operations, using boats to evacuate flood-affected people and distribute food and water. The administration has set up approximately 515 relief camps and distribution centers for more than 386 000 people affected by the floods in Assam alone.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for all northeastern states this week, warning of continued heavy rainfall. This has exacerbated the flood situation, prompting authorities to evacuate thousands to relief camps.

References:

¹ Assam floods: Six more dead as toll mounts to 52; over 21 lakh people affected – The Hindu – July 5, 2024

² Assam floods: Death toll rises to 52, over 21.13 lakh people affected, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma visits affected areas – LiveMint – July 5, 2024

³ Assam, Manipur floods: 48 killed, thousands evacuated amid heavy rains – Hindustan Times – July 4, 2024

⁴ Assam, Manipur floods leave 48 dead; over 16 lakh displaced in Assam, major rivers flow above danger level – BT – July 4, 2024

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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