Torrential Rains in Northeast India Spark Deadly Floods
Torrential rains in northeast India have led to severe flooding, resulting in the deaths of at least four people, government disaster officials reported on Wednesday.
More than a million people have been affected by the floods, highlighting the devastating impact of the annual monsoon season, which experts say is being exacerbated by climate change.
In the northeastern state of Assam, disaster authorities revealed that 38 people have lost their lives since mid-May when heavy rains began to batter the region, causing floods and landslides.
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued alerts for Assam and neighboring states, warning of the continued risk of flash floods.
The floods have wreaked havoc on infrastructure in Assam, with numerous roads damaged and villages submerged. In one dramatic rescue operation, the Indian Air Force saved 13 fishermen who were stranded on an island.
A significant portion of Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its population of one-horned rhinos, has also been inundated. Park officials have put forest guards on high alert as hundreds of animals are crossing highways in search of higher ground.
“Forest guards have been put on alert,” park official Arun Vignesh told AFP. “Hundreds of animals have started crossing the highway in search of higher ground.”
The flooding has extended beyond India’s borders, affecting vast areas in Bangladesh. The low-lying nation, composed of river deltas from the Ganges and Brahmaputra, experiences annual monsoon deluges, but the increasing severity of weather events is causing greater destruction.
The South Asian region has seen multiple deadly incidents related to the monsoon rains this year. Last week, at least 14 people were killed in Nepal due to landslides, lightning, and flooding.
In June, nine people died in a landslide in Bangladesh, and six people were killed in flash floods and landslides in Sikkim, an Indian state in the Himalayan foothills bordering China.
Climate experts warn that the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are likely to increase due to climate change, posing significant challenges for disaster management and resilience in the affected regions.
The governments of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh continue to respond to these disasters, but the scale of the impact highlights the need for more robust infrastructure and preparedness measures to mitigate future tragedies.
