Whats behind the pre-monsoon floods and landslides in Assam

Contact Counsellor

Last Updated25/05/2022

Despite the monsoon yet to be arrived, the state of Assam is facing a very devastating flood and a series of landslide episodes
The recent floods and landslides that have left 15 people dead and more than 7 lakh affected.
Road and rail links were cut off as heavy rain and flooding with landslides continued to wreak havoc in Assam.
The worst affect districts include, Cachar, Dima Hasao, Hojai, Charaideo, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Bajali, Baksa, Biswanath and Lakhimpur.

Extraordinarily acute pre-monsoon rains.
The average rainfall for the period of March 1 to May 20 in Assam is 434.5 mm (65 percentt excess)
Meghalaya has recorded an even greater excess: of 137 percent.
Climate change resulting in more and more concentrated rain and heavy rainfall episodes
Increasing concern as there may be little respite between the recession of this pre-monsoonal flood and the advent of the first monsoonal flood surge, especially in Assam
Several episodes of landslides, especially in south Assam’s Dima Hasao and Cachar districts have further intensified the devastation.

Expansion of Lumding-Badarpur railway line: The expansion work which began in 1997, was marred by several red flags and faced accusations of it having flouted safety norms.
Unplanned infrastructure development: Dima Hasao say that the district has seen hectic construction, both of public infrastructures like roads and private property, in recent times.
Unchecked Deforestation: Over the years, there has not only been massive deforestation for the extension of the railway line and the four-line highway.
Illegal Riverbed Mining: there has also been rampant riverbed mining often done in collusion with the district authorities.

Construction needed to be "tuned to the ecological fragility of the region"
Keeping “traditional knowledge systems in mind” and involving the local community to build “sustainable infrastructure”.

Prelims Takeaway