- Assam, an Indian state, is facing a flood crisis, affecting over 600,000 people and claiming at least 34 lives.
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma warns of "critical" days due to increased rainfall in some districts.
- In 2022, floods displaced over four million people and claimed at least 45 lives.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has warned that the next few days could be "critical," with India's weather department predicting more rainfall in some districts of Assam. The state faces large-scale destruction to life and property every monsoon due to flooding in its extensive network of rivers.
In 2022, floods displaced more than four million people and claimed at least 45 lives. The flood waters wrought havoc in Assam and parts of neighboring Bangladesh, submerging villages, destroying crops, and wrecking homes.
On Monday, the Assam Disaster Management Authority reported that all the rivers flowing through the state had crossed the danger mark at several places. At least 19 out of the state's 35 districts had been affected by the floods.
Thousands of people are sheltering in relief camps across the state. On the same day, Mr. Sarma stated that the state was facing a "second wave of flooding" due to heavy rainfall in neighboring Arunachal Pradesh state and some districts in Assam. He added that the next three to four days could be critical, depending on the rains.
Mr. Sarma reported that flood waters had inundated several areas of Kaziranga National Park, a world heritage site known for the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, causing animals to migrate from forested areas to nearby hills. He mentioned that state and national disaster relief teams were on standby to assist people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured the state of the federal government's support in case of a crisis.
The Indian Meteorological Department has forecasted very heavy rainfall in Assam and the neighboring state of Meghalaya until Friday.
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