Sunday, 13 Oct, 2024
It's a known fact that Assam and entire Northeast India is a flood-prone zone due to their geographical and topographical region making it one of the highest rainfall zones in the world
Every year monsoon showers brings in cheers and smiles to Indians except citizens of one state - Assam. The rainy season brings in destruction to the most-populated northeastern state year after year. Almost every year three to four waves of flood ravage the flood prone areas of Assam.
2022 too is no different, with more than 100 people killed and 4.53 million affected so far in 32 districts of the state. The destruction is not limited to humans alone. More than 15 per cent of the Kaziranga National Park has been inundated. Some 60,000 animals have been washed away and around 36 lakh were affected.
Why it happens every year?
It's a known fact that Assam and entire Northeast India is a flood-prone zone due to their geographical and topographical region making it one of the highest rainfall zones in the world. In addition to this, Assam is crisscrossed by a number of major rivers like Brahmaputra and Barak (and its 50 tributaries) originating from lower Himalayan ranges and emptying into the plains causing flash floods.
According to the National Flood Commission, nearly 40 percent of the state's 78,532 sq. km area is flood-prone. This is four times more than the rest of the country. The state suffers an annual loss to the tune of Rs 200 crore on an average due to floods.
The map below shows the extent of floods in the state, identifying the frequently inundated districts and villages from 1998 to 2015.
Source: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
The Brahmaputra problem
According to experts, the high level of sedimentation of Brahmaputra river has reduced its water carrying capacity. As sedimented rivers move through the state along with their tributaries, they take with them soil and sediment from banks. Soil erodes and rivers expand as it gets more area and this results in flooding. The surveys carried out by the state government shows an alarming picture of rapid widening of the river.
According to state estimates, over 4.27 lakh hectares (7.4% of state) has been eroded by river and its tributaries since 1950. The annual average loss of land is nearly 8,000 hectares. At some places, the width of the river has increased up to 15 kilometers. This also has a negative impact on Assam's rural economy.
Other man-made factors like deforestation, hill cutting, encroachments and destruction of wetlands have also worsened the flood situation. If we take a look at 2011 census, the population density of Brahmaputra valley has increased from 9-29 people per sq. km. in 1940-41 to 398 per sq. km.
What needs to be done
Over the past years, the state has constructed embankments and flood walls across the state. Reconstruction of embankments has also been taken up. However, the repeat episodes of floods in the state clearly shows that much needs to done. The problem has now increased manifold and the impact of climate change is likely to aggravate the situation in coming years. Time to bell the cat!
