45 thousand people have been affected in 5 districts of Assam.
Flood has created an outcry in Assam. 45 thousand people have been affected in 5 districts. The Air Force is engaged in relief and rescue operations. A 300 meter long iron bridge has collapsed. Roads have caved in. Dhemaji district of the state is the most affected. Dibrugarh, Chirang, Lakhimpur and Nalbari districts are also in the grip of floods. This is not the first time that there has been flood in Assam. There are many reasons for floods in Assam.
Railway traffic has come to a halt due to the collapse of the bridge on the Simen River. Train services between Murkongselek and Shilapathar have been stopped. Contact has been lost in many areas. Now the question is why there are so many floods in Assam every year.
5 major reasons for flood in Assam
- Heavy monsoon rain: Assam is a state in the north-east which receives heavy rainfall during monsoon. Heavy rains cause floods. Assam receives maximum rainfall every year between June and September. Continuous rain increases the water level of rivers rapidly. This is the reason why flood situation occurs here.
The bridge in Assam has collapsed. Photo: PTI
- Brahmaputra River: A major reason for floods in Assam is Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The Brahmaputra and tributary rivers swell during the rains. Its large catchment area increases the risk of floods. This is the reason why when floods come, they do not go away easily.
A large part of Assam is flood affected. Photo: PTI
- Silt formation in the river: The soil and silt flowing from the mountains of Assam also makes the floods worse. This silt gets deposited in the bottom of rivers. As a result, silt reduces the water holding capacity of the river. As a result, water starts coming out rapidly on the banks and the flood becomes severe.
Soil erosion also makes floods terrible. Photo: PTI
- Deforestation has worsened the situation: Deforestation in hilly areas has increased soil erosion. Due to excessive erosion, debris reaches the rivers and the flood situation becomes more serious. This is the reason why there is an outcry when there is a flood here.
- Encroachment in flood plains: Increasing construction, roads and unplanned settlements along river banks and natural flood plains prevent the natural flow of water, increasing the impact of floods manifold. Experts say, more than 40 percent of the area of Assam is where the risk of floods is high. This is the reason why lakhs of people are affected by floods every year in the state and Brahmaputra Valley is counted among the most sensitive areas.
Assam flood.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says that security is our biggest priority. Flood situation has arisen due to rising water in many villages near Jonai in Dhemaji. People’s livelihood has been damaged. Rehabilitation program is being worked on on a large scale. The government stands strongly with every person who is causing the disaster.
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