Assam Floods Expose a Crisis Beyond Heavy Rain

## Devastation in Assam and Nagaland The recent floods in Assam and Nagaland have left a trail of destruction, with over 100 people reported dead and thousands displaced. The floods have swept away homes and livestock, leaving people without access to proper food, water, healthcare, and shelter. In the village of Nepalikhuti, over 60 families took refuge in a two-storeyed building as their homes were swept away. The death toll from the Assam floods has reached 100 as of August 10, with 10 districts and 28 revenue circles affected. ## Factors Beyond Heavy Rainfall Researchers and local residents point to a complex array of factors beyond heavy rainfall that have made the connected Brahmaputra basin more vulnerable to flooding. Wetland degradation, disrupted drainage, and unregulated mining and infrastructure are being cited as some of the key contributors to the crisis. Debabrata Saikia, a member of the Assam Legislative Assembly, has called the floods a "meticulously engineered man-made disaster", blaming unchecked sand, stone, and coal mining. However, Nyamok Konyak, Extra Assistant Commissioner of Naginimora, disputes the link between mining and the floods, saying torrential rain and upstream water caused the flooding. ## Relief Efforts The government has announced interim relief of ₹15,000 to affected families to be distributed from August 3. Additional ₹10,000 will be paid to each affected family in Sivasagar and Charaideo on August 10. Electricity bills up to 300 units for the month of July have been waived off in Charaideo and Sivasagar. Insurance companies will also admit claims based on minimal documentation. Non-governmental organizations, such as the North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS), have been distributing emergency food supplies, hygiene and dignity kits for women and girls, temporary shelter materials, and other essential relief items to vulnerable families. ## Impacts Across State Borders Nagaland, a northeastern state bordering Assam, was also severely affected by the flood and landslide, with 13 people dead. The Nagaland government has announced an interim ex gratia of ₹400,000 to the family of the deceased and ₹74,000 for the injured. Kaibo Konyak, a resident of Mon town, said that the heavy rainfall caused massive landslide and mudslide in Mon, disconnecting roads and disrupting electricity. People have lost everything, from savings to livelihood. The floods were so powerful that a captive elephant was swept away from Mon district in Nagaland and found across the border in Assam in Bihubor, Sivasagar. Chiranjeev P. Jain, Divisional Forest Officer, Sivasagar, said that the elephant had suffered injuries that appeared superficial, but its medical examination report was awaited as officials studied its documents to decide its future. Snakebites and insect bites were another concern, with Dr. Surajit Giri, an anaesthesiologist at Demow Model Hospital, treating 10-15 patients over the phone when people could not reach hospitals during the floods.