In the last 24 hours, southern Assam’s biggest town Silchar has been inundated.

According to media report the town of Silchar has never experienced this such severe flooding before..

In Assam 32 out of 36 districts have been affected by extreme rainfall and resultant flood.

According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), since April this year at least 64 people including women and children died. Over 47,72,140 people including 10,43,382 children have become homeless. About 81 deaths was reported from eight districts while seven persons are missing in five districts.

Unprecedented rainfall and flooding has continued the path of destruction in Assam and her sister states, as well as parts of neighbouring Bangladesh.

The state has already recorded rainfall 109% above average levels this month, according to the local weather department. The river Brahmaputra, Kopili, Beki, Pagladiya, Puthimari are flowing above the danger mark.

This is the second time this year that floods are affecting Assam. Around 39 people died during the floods in the month of May.

Assam government has opened 1,425 relief camps for the displaced from the floods. Over 2 million people are staying at relief shelters. Apart from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Army has been also deployed for rescue operations.

Hardships are many

The flood affected people in Assam have only one question -“What will happen to us?”

One displaced resident of Assam, told the BBC that there was no drinking water in the camp, her son was suffering from fever but she was unable to take him to a doctor. When the water reached her home, she swam through the torrent in search of help. Now a plastic tent has become the shelter for her and her two children.

Authorities admit that they have been unable to provide drinking water and food to every flood victim.

Floods routinely destroy people’s lives and livelihood of million residents living near the riverbanks of the Brahmaputra River, aptly coined as the ‘Life Line’ of Assam.

Experts said the flood this time is record breaking, even the areas like Silchar, which are usually not affected by floods are submerged in water.

Climate Change and Indo-Bangla Cooperation

According to experts the factors like climate change, unchecked construction activities and rapid industrialization have become the main reason of the increased occurrence of extreme weather events, and disasters.

There are 54 rivers that go through both India and Bangladesh. They have a direct impact on the two nations’ populations. Harsh weather has become more frequent in Bangladesh and India in recent years, resulting in significant damage. Environmentalists warn that climate change may increase the frequency and severity of disasters, particularly in Bangladesh’s low-lying and highly populated areas.

The fact that the flood situation across India-Bangladesh’s Northeast part is getting worse. Several government officials and climatologists say that India and Bangladesh cooperation in flood water management and forecast should be strengthened. This will reduce damages caused by common natural calamities in the two countries.

CONTENT PREPARED BY HARSHIT PAUL FROM VARIOUS MEDIA SOURCES

  Assam, Brahmaputra, India, Northeast