Devastating Monsoon Rains Trigger Landslides and Floods in Northeast Indi

In the northeastern state of Assam, torrential monsoon rains have unleashed chaos, causing landslides and flooding that have claimed at least five lives, according to disaster officials. These early fatalities mark the beginning of what is often a deadly season across India, a country of 1.4 billion people where the monsoon season from June to September is both a vital source of water and a harbinger of destruction.

The monsoon, a massive sea breeze, delivers 70 to 80 percent of South Asia’s annual rainfall, nourishing agriculture and water supplies. However, the recent downpour has overwhelmed rivers such as the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, causing them to swell and breach their banks. The resulting floods have inundated urban and rural areas alike, with the situation particularly severe in the capital city of Guwahati.

Authorities have issued a red alert for 12 districts in Assam, where continuous rains over the past three days have led to widespread flooding, forcing hundreds of families to evacuate their homes. In several districts, including Guwahati, power has been disconnected to prevent electrocution amid the rising waters.

Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that rescue teams have been deployed across the affected regions. “We have been closely monitoring the situation for the last three days,” he stated, adding that food supplies, including rice, have been dispatched to assist those displaced by the floods.

Experts warn that the intensity and frequency of such disasters are increasing, driven in part by climate change. As the monsoon season continues, authorities and residents brace for ongoing challenges posed by nature’s fury, emphasizing the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and climate resilience in the region.