Report by Shuchi Giridhar
For the past two months, Assam has been suffering from floods. The floods started from May. Over 31 lakh people from several districts have been suffering because of the flood. Till now 744 relief camps have been provided as shelter for over 1.56 lakh people over 24 districts. The flood, that takes place in Assam every year, is now at its worst for this year.
Why does Assam get flooded?
The state of Assam is home to the Brahmaputra and Barak river which are fed by many tributaries. It also houses tributaries from the rivers of it neighbouring states, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
One of the main reasons for Assam’s annual floods is bank erosion caused by the Brahmaputra.
Bank erosion is the removal of dirt, rocks, and other sediments lined along the banks of a river, it is usually caused due to high tide. The bank of the river widens and changes course during bank erosion. Since 1940, 7.40% of the states area has been eroded during Bank erosion.
Another main reason for the annual flooding is the intervention of humans. This is through encroachment of river banks, less drainage, deforestation, and building dams.
Additionally, heavy rains are raging across the state. The Brahmaputra and other rivers are also alarmingly overflowing.
How is relief and rescue being done?
• The Indian army has stepped in and rescued over 3000 people.
• A meeting about the flood with deputy commissioner and sub divisional officers was held by Assam’s Cheif minister Himanta Biswanta Sarma overseeing the flood situation.
• Students from the Indian institute of technology(IIT) will help the Assam State Disaster Management Authority(ASDMA) map the flooded areas using drones.
• Assam state designated agencies or the ASDA distributed relief materials to people who haven’t taken shelter at relief camps
• About 1.56 lakh people were escorted into 744 relief camps.
• 20,983 people have been evacuated by the various agencies so far.
Yet the situation remains critical and needs ongoing relief and rescue operations every day.
How has the flood affected the state?
•Many people have been left stranded, homeless and injured.
• The heavy rainfall has destroyed most of the crops.
• The water has risen to chest level in several areas.
What are the worst hit districts?
Out of the 33 affected districts the worst hit districts are-
• Barpeta district
• Bajali district
• Cachar district
• Darrang district
• Dhubri district
• Goalpara district
• Hojai district
• Kamrup district
• Lakhimpur district
• Nagaon district &
• Nalbari district
How is this year’s flood different from the previous years?
109% of rainfall has already been recorded by the state in the pre monsoon season according to the meteorological department.
That is 528.5 millimetre of rain during the pre monsoon season in June which exceeds the normal rate of 252.8 millimetre. Assam’s rivers including the Brahmaputra are overflowing and spouting at an alarming rate. They are spouting more water than ever before. Rainfall is still going on in Assam. Not only are people struggling, but even the relief providers are struggling. An IMD warning has also been issued for Assam and nearby states for the next five days.
Even today, Guwahati is at a critical water level of 49.95 cms.
What do you think?
Do you know anything about flood relief? What would you like to suggest to Assam Disaster Relief and Planning to ensure that the annual floods do not lead to annual disaster?
Image Credit: @sdma_assam
