Global Rice News

Floods and Landslides in India Result in Multiple Deaths and Displacement

Heavy rain continues to wreak havoc in India’s northern and northeastern regions, causing devastating floods and landslides. At least 11 people have been reported dead, and hundreds of thousands have been affected, according to officials from the affected states.

Uttar Pradesh

In the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, torrential rains have claimed nine lives in the past 24 hours, as per an official bulletin.

Assam

The northeastern state of Assam has been hit by a second wave of flooding since June 16, resulting in two deaths and affecting more than 600,000 people in 19 districts. Over 8,000 individuals have been displaced. The situation has become dire for the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, which is home to nearly 2,200 one-horned rhinos, as more than half of its 233 camps are now submerged. This has led to the drowning of four hog deer.

Local resident Faizul Islam expressed his concerns, saying, “The flood water has now entered my house. The water has damaged my paddy and crops. I have a family of five, and I have to take shelter here. If the situation worsens, I will lose my house,”

ANI visuals show the devastating impact of the floods, with fields and roads in Assam completely inundated. Desperate residents are seen moving their precious belongings and furniture out of their water-filled homes.

Bangladesh

The neighboring country of Bangladesh is also dealing with a worsening flood situation due to continuous rain and upstream water flow from India. Tens of thousands of people have been marooned, and authorities in the southeastern region of Chittagong have resorted to using loudspeakers to warn residents of the high risk of landslides caused by heavy rains. Steps are being taken to offer assistance and evacuate those in need.

Floods in India’s northeast and Bangladesh have been ongoing for the past two months, leaving millions of people stranded. Weather authorities predict that the situation may further deteriorate.

Arunachal Pradesh

Meanwhile, in the neighboring state of Arunachal Pradesh, incessant rain has forced the closure of schools in the capital city of Itanagar until the end of the week.

India’s weather department has issued warnings of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in western, northern, and northeastern states for the remainder of the week.