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The pre-monsoon season hasn’t started on a pleasant note for <keyword id="6354915" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="assam" source="Orion">Assam</keyword>. Every year, the rainy season brings destruction to the most-populated northeastern state. It brings chaos, displacing thousands of people and animals, and damaging crops and properties worth billions. However, this time, the monsoons are yet to arrive and according to the <keyword id="645470" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="assam-state-disaster-management-authority" source="Orion">Assam State Disaster Management Authority</keyword> (ASDMA), at least <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/over-four-lakh-people-affected-as-pre-monsoon-rains-trigger-floods-in-assam/articleshow/91632004.cms">4 lakh people have been affected and 24 people</a> have lost their lives so far due to the floods which have ravaged the state. On May 24, Assam floods witnessed a surge in the death toll, as it rose to 25 and 6.5 lakh people remained affected. These <a href="https://weather.com/en-IN/india/news/news/2022-05-24-assam-floods-improve-but-rains-prevail-over-northeast-india">6,50,402</a> affected, which include 1,25,471 children, reside in 1,709 villages based in 22 of the state's 34 districts. Close to 82,503 hectares of crop areas in flood-hit areas also remain affected. <div type="image" title="Flood hazard map of Assam, where colours represent different hazard classes" msid="91820351" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Flood hazard map of Assam, where colours represent different hazard classes&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Why are floods an annual occurrence in the state of Assam? Assam is one of the most flood-prone states in India and it has almost become an annual calamity. In terms of impact on <a href="https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/07/20/assam-floods/">human lives</a>, the floods of 1988, 1998 and 2004 were the worst – the 2004 floods alone affected 12.4 million people and claimed 251 lives. According to the Assam government, the <a href="https://waterresources.assam.gov.in/portlets/flood-erosion-problems#:~:text=The%20flood%20prone%20area%20of%20the%20country%20as%20a%20whole,prone%20area%20of%20the%20country.">flood-prone area</a> of the state is 31.05 lakh hectares, against a total area of 78.523 lakh hectares – this means nearly 40% of the state’s area is flood-prone. Overall, Assam accounts for nearly 10% of the total flood-prone area of the country. The average <a href="https://waterresources.assam.gov.in/portlets/flood-erosion-problems#:~:text=The%20flood%20prone%20area%20of%20the%20country%20as%20a%20whole,prone%20area%20of%20the%20country.">annual loss</a> due to floods in Assam is to the tune of ₹200 crore and particularly in 1998, the loss suffered was about ₹500 crore and during the year 2004 it was about ₹771.00 crore. Apart from the natural topography and annual excessive rainfall in Assam, there are various reasons – both man-made and natural – behind the destructive floods that hit Assam every year. Assam is home to a vast network of rivers, including the Brahmaputra and Barak River, and more than 50 tributaries feeding them. Assam also receives river water from <a href="https://waterresources.assam.gov.in/portlets/flood-erosion-problems#:~:text=The%20flood%20prone%20area%20of%20the%20country%20as%20a%20whole,prone%20area%20of%20the%20country.">neighboring states</a> like Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. <a href="https://waterresources.assam.gov.in/portlets/flood-erosion-problems#:~:text=The%20flood%20prone%20area%20of%20the%20country%20as%20a%20whole,prone%20area%20of%20the%20country.">In 2004 and 2014</a>, the south bank tributaries of the Brahmaputra in lower Assam experienced flash floods of high magnitude due to cloud bursts in the catchment areas in Meghalaya. A similar incident occurred in <a href="https://waterresources.assam.gov.in/portlets/flood-erosion-problems#:~:text=The%20flood%20prone%20area%20of%20the%20country%20as%20a%20whole,prone%20area%20of%20the%20country.">Arunachal Pradesh in 2011</a>, further aggravating floods in Assam. Bank erosion caused by the river Brahmaputra is one of the major reasons why Assam gets flooded every year. It means the removal of soil, sediment, or rock fragments along the banks, which results from high water flow. Due to erosion, the width of the river increases and it changes its course. According to the Assam government, more than <a href="https://waterresources.assam.gov.in/portlets/flood-erosion-problems#:~:text=The%20flood%20prone%20area%20of%20the%20country%20as%20a%20whole,prone%20area%20of%20the%20country.">4.27 lakh hectares</a> of land, which is 7.40 % area of the state, has been eroded by the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries since 1950. The width of the river Brahmaputra has increased up to 15 kilometres at some places due to bank erosion, making it the widest river in India. It is estimated that annually nearly 8,000 hectares land is lost to erosion. The surveys carried out at different periods reflect an alarming picture regarding the widening of river Brahmaputra which is as follows: <div type="image" title="River Brahmaputra has been widening at an alarming rate" msid="91820475" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;River Brahmaputra has been widening at an alarming rate&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Floods are also caused by human intervention – like encroachment of river banks and wetlands, lack of drainage, unplanned urban growth, hill cutting and deforestation. The dams that are being built are further aggravating these disasters. Government measures to control floods in Assam In 1982, the <keyword id="905955" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="brahmaputra-board" source="Orion">Brahmaputra Board</keyword> suggested that dams and reservoirs be built to mitigate floods in Assam. While dams are meant to regulate the flow of water, they can also be beyond the capacity of the channels downstream, proving to be a double-edged sword. The <keyword id="14039836" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="water-resources-department-of-assam" source="Orion">Water Resources Department of Assam</keyword> has constructed embankments and flood walls across the state. River training, bank protection, anti-erosion and town protection are also in the works. Here’s how their plan has progressed thus far: <div type="image" title="Assam govt&amp;#39;s measures to control floods in the state" msid="91820500" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Assam govt&amp;#39;s measures to control floods in the state&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Here's a short video <div type="image" title="Why Assam gets flooded every year" msid="91820530" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Why Assam gets flooded every year&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>

SIMPLY PUT: Why Assam gets flooded every year

<ul><li>As many as 25 of the state’s 33 districts are affected by the floods. </li><li>The situation might get worse as heavy rainfall is predicted in the next few hours. </li><li>The water level of major rivers like the Brahmaputra, Dikhow, Dhansiri, Jia Bharali, Puthimari and Beki is above the danger mark.</li></ul>Over 11 people died and a million have lost their homes as monsoon floods ravaged the state of <keyword id="6354915" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="assam">Assam</keyword>. The situation might get worse as heavy rainfall is predicted in the next few hours. As many as 25 of the state’s 33 districts are affected by the floods. The water level of major rivers like the Brahmaputra, Dikhow, Dhansiri, Jia Bharali, Puthimari and Beki is above the danger mark. The neighbouring country of Nepal is worse-hit as many as 65 people have died, said the local police<a href="https://twitter.com/NepalPoliceHQ/status/1150586124210806784"> said in a tweet</a>. Though heavy rains and monsoon floods are common in Assam, this year it is much heavier than expected, local authorities said. As much as 80% of the area is flooded every year during the season. <div type="image" title="14094790f54f7365eda9bf7eece0625b (1)" msid="70225898" hostid="261"></div>

IANS National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been evacuating people from low-lying areas and shifting them to shelters. As of now, the government rescued 750 people from Assam and Bihar in the last three to four days. The flood waters from the Brahmaputra have also entered some parts of the Kaziranga National Park, forcing the animals to migrate in search of higher ground. "The flood waters have entered the park but the situation is under control. We are monitoring the situation closely and will implement the time card system for restricting the speed limit of vehicles on NH-27 as and when necessary," said Kaziranga Divisional Forest Officer, Rohini Ballav Saikia told IANS. A total of 13,276 hectares of agricultural land has been affected by the floods, officials said.

Assam monsoon floods wreak havoc on the state, kill 11 and displace a million

<ul><li>India is facing two extreme weather conditions together— drought and floods. </li><li>One corner of the country — Assam and parts of Bihar is fighting heavy floods. Others like <keyword id="12864" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chennai">Chennai</keyword> and Hyderabad are running dry, due to light or no showers at all.</li><li>The seasonal monsoon rains which are supposed to start in June were late in almost every part of the country.</li></ul>India is facing two extreme weather conditions together — heavy floods and drought. That is affecting millions of people, particularly the poor. These extreme weather conditions will weaken the economic productivity, in addition to wreaking destruction, and displacing a large number of people. The seasonal monsoon rains which are supposed to start in June were late in almost every part of the country. One corner of the country — Assam and parts of Bihar is fighting heavy floods. Others like Chennai and Hyderabad are running dry, due to light or no showers at all. Too Little, too late India’s monsoon is crucial as it accounts for 70% of its annual rainfall. If the monsoons are lower or slower, it leads to water crisis, due to its almost exclusive dependence on it. The government think tank NITI Aayog expects as many as 21 cities to be devoid of ground water by 2020. Cities are running dry one after the other.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/five-years-on-india-may-not-even-get-a-chance-to-solve-its-on-going-water-crisis-risking-hundreds-of-millions-of-lives/articleshow/69988627.cms"> First Chennai went dry and with less or no drinking water for its citizens</a>. Now, the twin cities of Hyderabad and <keyword id="6354398" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="secunderabad">Secunderabad</keyword> — <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/water-crisis-hyderabad-may-not-have-drinking-water-in-next-48-days/articleshow/70223928.cms">have less than two months to go for monsoon to fix its water problems</a>. And, they are already late and lower than expected. Water crisis has become common almost every year. In 2018, 600 million Indians were exposed to acute water crisis, according to Niti Aayog. In 2017, five south Indian states faced water shortages like Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Too Much Uncertain weather patterns brought too much rain leading floods and landslides in Assam. At least 28 districts in Assam are affected. So far, 30 people have been reported dead and 5.8 million displaced due to monsoon floods in Assam. The water level of Brahmaputra continues to rise above the danger mark in at least 10 places, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southasia-floods/millions-stranded-in-india-as-early-monsoon-downpours-bring-flood-havoc-idUSKCN1UC1E2">reported Reuters</a>, citing Assam Disaster Management Authority. People are forced to drink dirty water and eat anything they get. Parts of Bihar too are flooded, forcing evacuation of affected residents. Separately, a second spell of monsoon is likely to bring extremely heavy rains in the coming days in Kerala. Six districts in the state including Idukki, <keyword id="69399" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Malappuram">Malappuram</keyword>, and Wayanad are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/high-alert-in-six-districts-of-kerala-idukki-malappuram-wayanad-thrissur-kannur-for-heavy-rainfall/articleshow/70256251.cms">on high alert from 18 July to 20 July. </a> Last year in August 2018, Kerala was swept away by deadly monsoon rains taking as many as 504 lives. The state, was caught off guard and 3.4 million people were displaced. In all, 23 million people were affected at the price of $2.7 billion, reported India spend. Unexpected weather conditions have been dogging the country for a few years now. Two years back, heavy rains and widespread flooding across India, Bangladesh and Nepal led to death of 1,200 people. As many as 805,183 homes and 18 million people were affected in Northern India. The total damages and destructions by the floods in 2017 were $2.5 billion, according to Central Water Commission. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/water-crisis-hyderabad-may-not-have-drinking-water-in-next-48-days/articleshow/70223928.cms">India’s water crisis deepens as Hyderabad might run out of water, like Chennai</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/five-years-on-india-may-not-even-get-a-chance-to-solve-its-on-going-water-crisis-risking-hundreds-of-millions-of-lives/articleshow/69988627.cms">Five years on, India may not even get a chance to solve its on-going water crisis risking hundreds of millions of lives</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/high-alert-in-six-districts-of-kerala-idukki-malappuram-wayanad-thrissur-kannur-for-heavy-rainfall/articleshow/70256251.cms">The weatherman has warned of heavy rains in Kerala, which just got $250 million World Bank aid to recover from last year's floods</a>

Bone dry or deluge — the freakish monsoon is killing Indians either way

<ul><li>The floodwater is going down but heavy rains are still expected in western Assam until Wednesday. </li><li>As of now, the floods killed a total of 68 people and over 200 animals. Overall, it affected 5.25 million in 30 of Assam’s 33 districts. </li><li>Medical help is available to people via boat clinics only. </li></ul>The <keyword id="711603" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Assam-floods">Assam floods</keyword> are showing few signs of receding, though it has been a month since they started. Heavy rains are stalling the possibility of the end of the extended misery caused by the monsoon floods. "The floodwater level is showing a falling trend, and we have recorded that the water level had fallen by 162 cm till Monday morning," an official told IANS. However, there’s a chance of heavy rainfall (100mm/ 24 hour) in western Assam until Wednesday, said the Weather Channel. Officials reported two more deaths in Morigaon and Golaghat districts since Monday. As of now, the death toll is at 68 people and over 200 animals. Overall, it affected 5.25 million in 30 of Assam’s 33 districts. Heavy rainfall and floods brought life in Assam to a standstill, displacing thousands of people from their homes. People are unable to commute to get medical aid, food, or water. The only medical help available t<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-flood-hit-assam-boat-clinics-bring-respite-to-many/story-zVlvhdB0rKz9IiTeqewovO.html">o people is through boat clinics</a>. These mobile clinics make monthly tours, in more than 29 riverine islands in Morigaon district to help 900 residents. But, during the floods, they have become primary providers of medical aid as well as food. <div type="twitter" handle="TheSatishDua" handlename="Lt Gen Satish Dua🇮🇳" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1073945465761214464/Fpc567QL_normal.jpg" favoritecount="106" retweetcount="35" status="Venice in Assam! Dhubri - commuting, transportation and shopping nowadays, Courtesy #Assamfloods https://t.co/uejhJgDtrt" createdat="1563849730000" id="1153495491121778689"></div>
 A<a href="https://www.news18.com/news/india/amid-flood-fury-in-assam-an-mla-brings-hope-to-thousands-of-victims-with-his-mobile-kitchen-2233169.html">n MLA also introduced a mobile kitchen</a> on July 13 in Khumtai, Golaghat district. It will deliver food via a boat, and can also double as an emergency vehicle. According to official records, floods wrecked over 114,179 hectares of agricultural land, including standing crops. As many as 97,000 people are still living at 757 relief camps. “Heavy rainfall and floods have virtually become a regular annual feature in Assam, but, this year, we are faced with early rains and early flood,” Dr. Jitendra Singh <a href="http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=180203">said</a>, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).

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SIMPLY PUT: Why Assam gets flooded every year

Assam monsoon floods wreak havoc on the state, kill 11 and displace a million

Preeti Soni

Bone dry or deluge — the freakish monsoon is killing Indians either way

Preeti Soni

Assam lives on mobile kitchens and boat ambulances, as floods fail to recede even after a month

Preeti Soni

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