At least 41 people have died in rain-related incidents as relentless monsoon showers triggered severe flooding across parts of India, with Assam bearing the brunt of the disaster and Gujarat battling record-breaking rainfall that has forced large-scale rescue operations.
In Assam, overflowing rivers, including the Brahmaputra, inundated more than 1,800 villages across 25 districts, affecting over 9,000,00 people, news agency Reuters reported.
Rescue teams from the Indian Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local authorities have evacuated hundreds of stranded residents, while thousands have taken shelter in relief camps.
The floods are among the worst to hit the state this monsoon, with authorities warning that rising river levels and continued rainfall could worsen the situation in low-lying areas.
GUJARAT DROWNS IN EXTREME RAINFALL
Even as northeastern India struggles with river flooding, western India is facing a different crisis.
In Gujarat’s Valsad district, torrential rain dumped more than 1,100 millimetres (mm) of rainfall in less than 24 hours, triggering flash floods that submerged roads, disrupted railway services, cut electricity supply and inundated residential areas.
Emergency teams rescued around 1,200 people, with several families shifted to safer locations as floodwaters rapidly rose.
Flash floods occur when exceptionally heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems or causes rivers and streams to rise rapidly, often leaving little time for evacuation.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that an active monsoon phase is likely to continue over parts of western and central India, with the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places over the coming days.
WHY HAS INDIA’S MONSOON TURNED FATAL?
India’s southwest monsoon, which typically delivers nearly 70% of the country’s annual rainfall between June and September, is vital for agriculture and water supplies.
However, intense bursts of rainfall over short periods can quickly overwhelm rivers, dams and urban drainage systems, leading to floods and landslides.
This year’s monsoon has brought repeated episodes of extreme rainfall across several regions, with northeastern states particularly vulnerable because of swollen rivers, hilly terrain and saturated soils.
Authorities in both Assam and Gujarat have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert, avoid flooded roads and follow evacuation advisories as rescue and relief operations continue.
With more rain forecast over the next few days, officials remain on high alert, warning that the flood situation could change rapidly in affected districts.
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