Assam floods have killed at least 97 people in India’s northeastern state of Assam, while nearly 170,000 people have been affected and thousands forced into temporary shelters after rivers overflowed and flooded homes and farmland.
Officials said more than 14,000 hectares of agricultural land were submerged as rescue and relief efforts continued across the state during the peak of the monsoon season.
Large-scale damage and displacement
The floods have caused severe damage to homes, roads and farmland, leaving many communities cut off as water levels continue to rise in several areas.
India’s health and family welfare minister J.P. Nadda said the scale of destruction was “huge,” adding that it would take time for conditions to return to normal.
“The water is flooding village after village,” he told reporters.
Monsoon rains make floods a recurring threat
Flooding is common in Assam and much of the Indian subcontinent during the monsoon months between June and September, when the Brahmaputra, India’s largest river, and its tributaries overflow.
The seasonal rains often bring deadly floods, especially in low-lying and densely populated areas that are vulnerable to waterlogging and landslides.
Kerala also hit by floods
Kerala state has also seen heavy rain and flooding, with at least 26 people killed and around 27,000 evacuated, underlining the wider impact of this year’s monsoon across several Indian states.
Lightning deaths rise in Jharkhand
In eastern Jharkhand state, local media reported a rising death toll from lightning strikes.
India’s state-run All India Radio, known locally as Akashvani, said the number of lightning-related deaths had risen to 20, with Giridih district the worst affected, accounting for 11 deaths.
The broadcaster said the monsoon had intensified across the state, causing a noticeable shift in weather conditions over the previous 24 hours.
Heavy rain and lightning caused widespread damage in several areas, while the India Meteorological Department issued a three-day orange alert for vulnerable districts in northwestern and central Jharkhand.
Conclusion:
The latest wave of storms highlights the scale of disruption caused by India’s monsoon season, with Assam floods accounting for the deadliest toll so far. With more heavy rain expected in parts of the country, authorities remain on alert for further flooding and lightning-related incidents.
