The first torrent of floods in Assam this year have claimed two lives so far, besides leaving lakhs homeless and decimating farms.
The deaths were reported from Nalbari district of Assam on Friday and Tamulpur the previous day.
Overall, the flood situation remained unchanged Friday with over 4.8 lakh population affected across 19 districts, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). According to ASDMA, lower Assam districts are the worst hit, including Bajali, Nalbari and Barpeta. Around 140 camps have been set up in 14 districts, where over 35,000 people have taken shelter.
Ten rivers, including the Brahmaputra, are still flowing above the normal level.
The IMD has predicted a gradual decrease in rainfall in the next five days
The Brahmaputra and its tributaries such as Manas, and Puthimari rivers are all flowing above the danger level.
Damage to roads and bridges was reported from across the state.
The Met department has issued a 'yellow' alert, asking people to be on watch and remain updated for heavy rainfall and thunderstorm in some parts of the state.
Assam witnesses three-four waves of floods every year from May to September. According to the now-defunct Rashtriya Barh Ayog (RBA), nearly 40% of the state's area of 78,523 sq km is flood-prone, which is about four times more than the rest of the country.
Experts link the Great Earthquake of 1950 with the recurrent flood scenario of the state. The Brahmaputra changed its direction and nature drastically after the earthquake.
The Brahmaputra basin witnesses very high-intensity pre-monsoon and monsoon showers. Experts say that the monsoon flow in the river is generally 10 times the lean period flow. More here
According to official data, a total of 838 people died in the state between 2013 and 2022, of whom 181 lost their lives last year, which is the highest human death toll in floods in a year.
Massive soil erosion
According to the state water resource department, in the last seven decades over 4,000 sq km or over 7% of the state's land has been eroded away by the Brahmaputra river alone, bigger than the total area of Goa and nearly four times that of Delhi.
Relentless rain has triggered landslides and a flood-like situation in several parts of Arunachal Pradesh, throwing life out of gear.
#assamfloods #assam #assamesenews #explained #toiexplained
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