The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for all northeastern states, predicting extremely heavy rain as severe flooding continues to devastate Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The rising water levels of the Brahmaputra river have exacerbated the situation, causing widespread chaos and destruction.
The IMD’s district-wise red alerts are particularly focused on areas near the Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported a significant increase in flood-affected districts, rising from 12 to 19, with the affected population soaring from 2.62 lakh to 6.44 lakh people.
In response to the escalating crisis, schools in Itanagar have been closed from July 2 to July 6 due to flooding and the potential for further landslides triggered by the incessant rain. All rivers in Arunachal Pradesh have surpassed the danger mark, with continuous rainfall causing severe flooding in low-lying areas of the East Siang and Lower Siang districts, as reported by PTI.
The floods have claimed 35 lives so far and inundated 26,199.18 hectares of crop area, according to ASDMA. Additionally, 4,85,736 animals have been affected by the flooding. Rescue operations are underway but are hampered by landslides and flooding, which have disrupted surface connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh. The Assam Rifles have undertaken ‘Operation Saviour,’ rescuing 500 people stranded in flood-hit areas, according to an India Today report.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assured the public that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Army are on standby to address emergencies. “The situation in the state is being closely monitored by all MLAs and officials,” he stated.
Sources By Agencies
