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IMD Issues Red Alert for Flood-Hit Indian State of Assam Amid Forecast of More Rains

Assam is on high alert as floods worsen, affecting over 600,000 people and claiming at least 34 lives, with the India Meteorological Department predicting heavy rainfall in some districts, warning of a "critical" situation in the next few days.

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Nitish Verma
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The Indian state of Assam is bracing for more rainfall in the coming days, as the flood situation continues to deteriorate, affecting over 600,000 people and claiming at least 34 lives. The state's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has warned that the next few days could be "critical" as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in some districts.

The north-eastern state has been inundated by flood waters for several days, causing large-scale destruction to life and property. In 2022, the floods had displaced more than four million people and killed at least 45. The flood waters have left behind a trail of destruction in Assam, as well as parts of neighbouring Bangladesh, submerging villages, destroying crops, and wrecking homes.

According to the Assam Disaster Management Authority, all the rivers flowing through the state have crossed the danger mark at several places, and at least 19 of the state's 35 districts have been affected by the floods. Thousands of people are sheltering in relief camps across the state. The Chief Minister has said that the state is experiencing a "second wave of flooding" due to heavy rainfall in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh state and some districts in Assam.

The flood waters have also inundated several areas of Kaziranga National Park, a world heritage site famous for the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, causing animals to migrate from forested areas to nearby hills. The state and national disaster relief teams are on standby to help people, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured the state of the federal government's help in case of a crisis.

Why it Matters : The floods in Assam are not just a natural disaster, but also a humanitarian crisis. The state's economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, and the floods have already affected over 26,000 hectares of crop area. The displacement of people and animals has also led to a shortage of food and shelter, making it a critical situation.

The IMD has predicted very heavy rainfall in Assam and the neighbouring state of Meghalaya until Friday, and has issued a red alert for all northeastern states. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority has reported that the number of flood-affected districts in the state has increased from 12 to 19, and the affected population has also increased from 2.62 lakh to 6.44 lakh people.

Schools in Itanagar have been closed from July 2 to July 6 due to flooding and the possibility of further landslides triggered by the rain in Arunachal Pradesh. All rivers in Arunachal Pradesh are currently above the danger mark, due to increasing water levels from continuous rain. Flood waters have submerged low-lying areas in the East Siang and Lower Siang districts.

Key Takeaways:

  • Assam is on high alert as floods worsen, affecting over 600,000 people and claiming at least 34 lives.
  • The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rainfall in some districts, warning of a "critical" situation in the next few days.
  • The floods have already affected over 26,000 hectares of crop area, leading to a shortage of food and shelter.
  • The state and national disaster relief teams are on standby to help people, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi assuring the state of the federal government's help in case of a crisis.
  • The floods have also affected Kaziranga National Park, a world heritage site, causing animals to migrate from forested areas to nearby hills.