Why Assam Keeps Flooding?

The Alarming Reality: Why Assam Keeps Flooding?

TONOY CHAKRABORTY

Assam, a picturesque state in northeastern India, is celebrated for its verdant landscapes, rich biodiversity, and the majestic Brahmaputra River.

However, this natural bounty comes with a high cost: recurrent and devastating floods. These floods not only result in significant loss of life and property but also severely disrupt the socio-economic fabric of the region.

Geographical Factors: Assam’s geographical features significantly contribute to its susceptibility to flooding. The state is interlaced with numerous rivers, most notably the Brahmaputra, one of the world’s largest rivers, which carries immense water volumes from the Himalayas.

The Brahmaputra River is notorious for its dynamic and unpredictable nature. Frequent changes in its course result in severe riverbank erosion and subsequent flooding. Assam’s low-lying plains, with elevations ranging from 50 to 200 meters above sea level, are highly prone to waterlogging.

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This topographical characteristic makes the state particularly vulnerable to floods. The state experiences heavy monsoon rainfall, with an average annual precipitation of approximately 2,500 mm. This excessive rainfall swells the rivers, leading to widespread flooding.

Climate Change: Climate change has exacerbated the frequency and intensity of floods in Assam. Rising global temperatures have led to erratic weather patterns, including more intense and prolonged monsoon seasons.

Global warming has accelerated the melting of glaciers in the Himalayas, increasing the volume of water flowing into the Brahmaputra River and elevating the flood risk. Climate change has also resulted in more frequent extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and cyclones, further contributing to Assam’s flooding woes.

The Man-Made Crisis : Human activities have significantly worsened the flooding problem in Assam. Deforestation, encroachment on riverbanks, and unplanned urbanization have all played critical roles in exacerbating the situation. Large-scale deforestation in the region has diminished the land’s capacity to absorb water, leading to increased surface runoff and flooding.

Encroachment on riverbanks and wetlands has disrupted the natural flow of rivers, causing them to overflow during the monsoon season. Rapid and unplanned urbanization has led to the construction of buildings and infrastructure in flood-prone areas, heightening the vulnerability of these regions to floods.

The Human Toll: Several case studies illustrate the devastating impact of floods in Assam. For instance, the 2012 Assam floods affected over 2 million people, causing widespread displacement and loss of life. Triggered by heavy monsoon rains and the release of water from dams in neighboring states, the Brahmaputra River overflowed, inundating vast areas and displacing millions.

Similarly, the 2020 floods impacted more than 5 million people, resulting in over 100 deaths. Incessant rainfall and the breaching of embankments led to the submersion of large parts of the state, affecting millions and causing extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture.

In the latest wave of flooding in 2024, over 6.71 lakh people have been affected in 20 districts. The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries are flowing above the danger level at multiple locations. The Indian Air Force rescued 13 stranded fishermen from the severely-hit Dibrugarh district. Multiple agencies, including the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and local administration, were engaged in rescue operations.

The death count in this year’s flood, storm, and landslides has reached 45, with the latest fatality reported. The flood situation is likely to worsen as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in the state for the next two to three days.

Mitigation Measures: Addressing Assam’s flooding problem requires a comprehensive approach that includes both short-term and long-term measures. Building and maintaining robust embankments, dams, and drainage systems can help mitigate the impact of floods. Promoting afforestation and reforestation can enhance the land’s capacity to absorb water and reduce surface runoff.

Implementing advanced early warning systems can facilitate timely evacuation and reduce the loss of life and property. Educating communities about flood preparedness and response can empower them to take proactive measures during flood events.

The Unique Challenge of Assam: The flood and erosion problems in Assam are uniquely severe compared to other Indian states. The flood-prone area of Assam, as assessed by the Rastriya Barh Ayog (RBA), is about 31.05 lakh hectares, which constitutes approximately 39.58% of the state’s total land area. This figure is significantly higher than the national average, underscoring the unique challenges faced by Assam.

River Bank Erosion: Another major issue facing Assam is riverbank erosion. Since 1950, more than 4.27 lakh hectares of land have been eroded away by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, accounting for 7.40% of the state’s area. This erosion has not only caused significant land loss but also led to the displacement of communities and disruption of agricultural activities.

Recent Developments: The flood situation in Assam remains critical, with over 6.71 lakh people affected in 20 districts during the second wave of flooding in 2024. The Indian Air Force rescued 13 stranded fishermen from the severely-hit Dibrugarh district. Multiple agencies, including the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and local administration, were engaged in rescue operations. According to official statements, at least 13 major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, are flowing above the danger level at different places, with alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts.

On 2 July 2024, a Mi-17 IV helicopter from AFS Mohanbari undertook a rescue operation from a marshy piece of land, rescuing 13 marooned survivors from a small island in the flooded Brahmaputra, north of Dibrugarh in Assam. The coordinated efforts of the pilot and flight gunner ensured prompt and safe boarding of the 13 survivors, and emergency first aid was provided by the force after the rescue.

On Sunday(07-07-2024), the IAF had also rescued eight State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and a revenue official from Jonai in Dhemaji district when they were stranded in another sandbar area during relief operations.

The Path Forward: The people of Assam have lived with floods for centuries, but the changing nature of these floods—marked by increased intensity and unpredictability—demands urgent action. A detailed reassessment of the flooding situation in Assam is essential, taking into account changing climatology, land use patterns, and the socio-economic makeup of the state.

By adopting a comprehensive approach that includes improved infrastructure, afforestation, early warning systems, and community awareness, Assam can better manage its floods and mitigate their devastating impact on its people and economy. The time to act is now, to safeguard the future of this vibrant and resilient state. The annual floods in Assam are a stark reminder of nature’s power and the need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions.

The state and its people continue to demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, but the battle against floods requires concerted efforts at all levels. By addressing the root causes and implementing a combination of technological, infrastructural, and community-based solutions, Assam can hope to mitigate the devastating impact of floods and build a more resilient future.

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