essay on flood in assam

Essay on Flood in Assam

Students are often asked to write an essay on Flood in Assam in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

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100 Words Essay on Flood in Assam

Introduction.

Floods in Assam are a recurrent problem, causing widespread damage. Every year, the Brahmaputra River overflows due to heavy rainfall, affecting millions.

The primary cause is heavy monsoon rainfall. The Himalayan snow melts, and the Brahmaputra River’s water level rises, leading to floods.

Floods cause loss of life, property, and livestock. They also lead to waterborne diseases and disrupt normal life.

Building embankments, improving drainage, and implementing early warning systems can mitigate the impact.

Floods in Assam require immediate attention. Sustainable management of the Brahmaputra River is crucial to reduce the damage.

250 Words Essay on Flood in Assam

Floods in Assam, a recurring natural disaster, pose significant challenges to the socio-economic fabric of the region. Every year, the Brahmaputra River’s fury disrupts lives, causing massive destruction. This essay explores the causes, impacts, and potential solutions to this perennial issue.

Causes of Floods

The primary cause of floods in Assam is the Brahmaputra River’s overflow, exacerbated by excessive rainfall during monsoon. The river’s unstable nature, coupled with deforestation and rapid urbanization, contributes to this issue. The Himalayan region’s seismic activity also plays a part, causing landslides that block river courses, leading to flash floods.

Impacts of Floods

The floods inflict severe damage on human lives, property, and the environment. They disrupt livelihoods, especially agriculture, the backbone of Assam’s economy. The floods also lead to loss of biodiversity, as the Kaziranga National Park, home to the endangered one-horned rhino, often gets inundated.

Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach. Scientific river management, including the construction of embankments and reservoirs, can help control the river’s flow. Afforestation initiatives can reduce soil erosion, and sustainable urban planning can mitigate the impacts of rapid urbanization. Furthermore, implementing early warning systems can help prepare communities for impending floods.

While floods in Assam are a natural phenomenon, their impacts are exacerbated by human activities. By focusing on sustainable development and river management, it is possible to mitigate the devastating effects of these floods. Society’s collective efforts can transform this destructive force into a resource, turning adversity into opportunity.

500 Words Essay on Flood in Assam

Assam, a state in North-East India, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and vibrant culture. However, it also bears the brunt of an annual menace – floods. The flood in Assam is a recurring disaster that wreaks havoc on the socioeconomic fabric of the state.

The Geographical Context

Assam is located in the Brahmaputra Valley, surrounded by the Eastern Himalayas, the Patkai Range, and the Meghalaya Plateau. The Brahmaputra River, one of the largest rivers in the world, flows through the heart of Assam. The region’s topography, coupled with the river’s voluminous water flow, makes Assam vulnerable to annual flooding.

The Causes of Floods in Assam

The primary cause of floods in Assam is the monsoon rains that the region experiences between June and September. The Brahmaputra River, fed by its tributaries, swells beyond its capacity, leading to inundation of nearby areas. Deforestation in the catchment areas exacerbates the problem by increasing surface runoff. Moreover, seismic activities in the Himalayan region often lead to landslides, blocking the river’s course and causing flash floods.

Impacts of the Floods

The floods in Assam have far-reaching consequences. They cause loss of human lives and livestock, damage to infrastructure, and displacement of people. Agricultural lands, the primary source of livelihood for many, are submerged, leading to food insecurity and economic hardship. The floods also pose a significant threat to the state’s rich biodiversity, particularly in the Kaziranga National Park, home to the endangered one-horned rhinoceros.

Management and Mitigation Strategies

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has implemented various strategies to manage and mitigate the effects of floods. These include the construction of embankments, dredging of the river, afforestation programs, and early warning systems. However, these strategies have not been entirely successful due to the magnitude of the problem and various implementation challenges.

The Way Forward

There is a pressing need for a comprehensive and sustainable approach to manage floods in Assam. This approach should integrate structural measures like embankments and reservoirs with non-structural measures such as flood forecasting and community awareness programs. Emphasis should also be given to ecological restoration and conservation, considering the intimate relationship between the environment and floods. Furthermore, there should be a shift from a reactive approach to a proactive one, focusing on disaster preparedness and risk reduction.

The flood in Assam is a complex issue, deeply rooted in the state’s geographical and ecological dynamics. While it is a natural phenomenon, its impacts are significantly amplified by human activities. Therefore, a holistic, sustainable, and community-based approach is required to manage this annual disaster and ensure the socio-economic resilience of Assam.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on The Chennai Floods of 2015
• Essay on Causes of Flood
• Essay on Kerala Flood

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Making sense of Assam floods: Why rivers turned violent in the 20th century and how climate change is making them more unpredictable

Arupjyoti saikia and jagdish krishnaswamy write: floods have played a key role in assam's ecology. but increasing human footprint has affected the ability of flood plains to absorb water and transport sediment.

This year’s floods in Assam have been merciless. In many parts of the state, both rural and urban, shoals of water drove people from their homes and forced many of them to seek shelter for their livestock. In many places, people failed to save standing crops. Granaries were damaged and mud houses were filled with sand brought by the rivers in spate. The retreating waters — before the onset of another flood cycle — could leave behind more wreckage. Ironically, however, they also offer hope for the depleted soil.

The story of this year’s floods starts in the Bay of Bengal. As we know, the Bay has a major influence on the monsoon in Northeast India. Two coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomena, one from the distant Pacific, La Niña and another in the tropical Indian Ocean, a negative dipole condition, combined to create high rainfall in the Bay of Bengal. Weeks before the usual monsoon season, rains had already drenched the basin. To add to that, a warmer atmosphere because of climate change can hold more moisture leading to intense bouts of rain. Parts of the Northeast experienced a month-and-a-half of rains in 10-12 days.

This is just one cycle of the annual floods — more are likely to come this month and in August, perhaps later as well. There are lessons to learn from the current cycle of flooding, which occurred in places that have not been flood-prone in recent years. This indicates that environmental factors unique to each locality are responsible for the floods.

Assam is hit by several rounds of floods every year. The lowlands and riverine areas bear the brunt of the deluge. The flooding pattern is usually repeated year-to-year. However, at times, this pattern is disturbed — this year for example. Such massive floods are also not unusual in Assam. But there is no standard pattern to the recurrence of mega, unpredictable floods. In the last century, they occurred in 1934, 1950, 1954, 1955, 1966, 1988 and 2004 – this list is by no means exhaustive.

The incidence of such megafloods depends on several variables like unusually high rainfall and the failure of critical embankments. Besides the toll they take, such floods can adversely reconfigure the landscape.

How, then, do we make sense of these floods? We should begin by appreciating the key role of floods in the making of the floodplain environment and ecology of Assam. Floods cause disruption and damage but they also generate a bounty of fish and rejuvenate flood-plain ecosystems all along the Brahmaputra, including in the Kaziranga. This landscape has been shaped over millions of years with the help of an active monsoonal environment and mighty rivers that carry sediments weathered from the still-rising Himalaya. Every year, the Brahmaputra and its tributaries — which are at the centre of Assam’s environment — transport billions of tonnes of sediment, mainly from the Eastern Himalaya, making the landscape volatile.

The rivers and their surrounding hydrological landscapes interact in several ways and produce many effects. River bank erosion is one of them. Floods are among the mediators of these interactions. Flooding helps release waters to surrounding land and distribute sediments and nutrients across the floodplains and wetlands. Over millions of years, this depositing of sediment into the floodplains has produced at least two results: Raising the lowlands and regularly adjusting river beds. These ensured that impacts of flooding remained moderate. Such processes have been going on for centuries but certain historical circumstances, especially their low intensity on the floodplains, allowed humans to adapt to nature’s quirks. The prosperity and general well-being of a large majority of the population of Assam, especially in rural areas, critically depend on their ability to survive the capricious ways of floods. The annual floods were a natural way to enrich the soils, which have a propensity to get depleted.

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Things began to change rather drastically in the 20th century. As the human footprint intensified on the floodplains, the landscape was increasingly “developed and engineered”. The engineered and planned landscape has affected the floodplains in two ways: It has undermined their ability to store and absorb water and reduced their capacity to transport sediment.

This year’s floods took an especially worrying proportion in several urban areas. Silchar in southern Assam and Guwahati were badly hit. Guwahati has historically been a lowland and the city has been uniquely shaped by three hills that accumulate water during the monsoon. Its northern side faces one of the most turbulent rivers in the world. However, extensive swamps, channels and their tributaries worked in tandem to make the place habitable. A transformation, however, took place in the 20th century, especially in the later decades, when these natural features were forced to disappear. From an estimated 11,000 people in 1901, the city now is home to close to 1.1 million people. Such a population increase is bound to have several footfalls and not all of them could have been prevented. What has hit the city hardest is the disappearance of some of its critical environmental features. Today, like Guwahati, Assam’s floodplains and the people living there are even more vulnerable to severe flooding because of climate change.

Apart from embankment failures, a number of unofficial and media reports suggest that the devastation in the floodplains is also a consequence of the way the dams and reservoirs are operated. Such human interventions to “tame” rivers and “stabilise” hydrologically dynamic landscapes and riverscapes should be based on guidelines that account for the environmental conditions in Northeast India, especially the fragile geology, changing rainfall patterns, high seismicity and the risk of landslides. This, however, has not happened.

The rapid transformation in rainfall characteristics and flooding patterns demand building people’s resilience. A business-as-usual vision of infrastructure development will not help achieve this. Construction projects that impede the movement of water and sediment across the floodplain must be reconsidered. The region’s historical experiences offer several valuable lessons in adaptation to floods. At the same time, climate-imposed exigencies demand new paradigms of early-warning and response systems and securing livelihoods and economies.

Saikia is a Guwahati based environmental historian and Jagdish Krishnaswamy is a hydrologist and ecologist with the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Bengaluru

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Short Essay: Flood In Assam

Three short essay examples on the flood in Assam.

Table of Contents

Flood In Assam Essay Example 1

Assam, one of the states in northeast India, is known for its lush green forests, tea gardens, and the mighty Brahmaputra river. However, every year, the state faces a devastating natural disaster – floods. The floods in Assam have become an annual phenomenon, causing immense damage to life and property. This essay will explore the causes and impact of floods in Assam.

Assam is located in the flood-prone Brahmaputra valley and receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. The state is also home to several rivers, including the Brahmaputra, which are prone to overflowing during the rainy season. The floods in Assam are characterized by the inundation of low-lying areas, damage to infrastructure, and displacement of people. The floods not only cause immediate damage but also have long-term effects on the economy and the environment.

The floods in Assam are caused by a combination of natural and man-made factors. Heavy rainfall during the monsoon season is the primary natural cause of floods in the state. The Brahmaputra river, which flows through the state, receives a significant amount of water from its tributaries during this period, leading to overflowing. Deforestation and soil erosion caused by human activities have also contributed to the worsening of floods in Assam. Poor drainage systems and urbanization have also exacerbated the situation, leading to waterlogging in cities and towns.

The floods in Assam have a severe impact on the lives of people in the state. The floods cause loss of lives, displacement of people, and damage to infrastructure, crops, and livestock. The floods also lead to the spread of water-borne diseases and health hazards. The economic impact of floods is significant, with damage to crops and infrastructure leading to a loss of livelihoods for many people. The floods also have long-term environmental effects, such as soil erosion and loss of biodiversity.

In conclusion, the floods in Assam are a significant natural disaster that has severe consequences for the state’s people, economy, and environment. The causes of floods in Assam are a combination of natural and man-made factors, and addressing them requires a multi-pronged approach. The government and civil society organizations must work together to improve drainage systems, prevent deforestation and soil erosion, and provide relief and rehabilitation to those affected by floods. Only then can the state of Assam be better prepared to face the annual floods and mitigate their impact on the people and the environment.

Flood In Assam Essay Example 2

Assam, located in the northeastern part of India, is a state that is highly susceptible to flooding. Every year, during the monsoon season, the state experiences severe floods that cause immense damage to the region. In this essay, we will explore the causes of flooding in Assam and the impact it has on the people and the environment.

The causes of flooding in Assam are multifaceted. Firstly, heavy monsoon rainfall is a primary reason for the floods. The state receives an average of 2,500mm of rainfall annually, with most of it occurring between June and September. The rainfall causes the Brahmaputra River, which flows through the state, to overflow its banks, leading to severe flooding. Secondly, deforestation and soil erosion have also contributed to flooding in the region. The state has seen a significant loss of forest cover over the years, leading to soil erosion and reduced water retention capacity. This, coupled with poor land-use practices, has made the region more vulnerable to flooding. Lastly, inadequate drainage systems and infrastructure have also contributed to the problem. The drainage systems in the state are poorly designed and maintained, leading to waterlogging and flooding in low-lying areas.

The impact of flooding in Assam is severe and far-reaching. Firstly, floods cause the loss of human lives and displacement of people. Every year, people lose their homes and belongings, and many are forced to flee to higher ground. Secondly, floods also lead to damage to agricultural land and crops. The state is known for its fertile agricultural land, and floods often destroy crops, leading to significant losses for farmers. Additionally, floods also cause significant damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure, leading to economic losses for the state.

The impact of flooding in Assam is not just limited to the loss of human lives and property. It also has significant environmental consequences. Floods lead to soil erosion, which can cause long-term damage to the soil and reduce its fertility. The floods also lead to the loss of biodiversity, as many animals and plants are unable to survive the extreme conditions. Additionally, floods can also lead to the spread of water-borne diseases, which can have severe health consequences for the people in the region.

In conclusion, flooding in Assam is a severe problem that needs urgent attention. The causes of flooding are multifaceted and require a holistic approach to address them. The impact of flooding is far-reaching and affects not just the people but also the environment. It is essential to invest in better infrastructure, drainage systems, and land-use practices to mitigate the effects of flooding in the region.

Flood In Assam Essay Example 3

Assam, a state in northeastern India, is known for its natural beauty and diverse culture. However, every year, the state is hit by devastating floods that cause widespread destruction and loss of life. In this essay, we will explore the impact of floods in Assam and the causes behind them.

The floods in Assam have a significant impact on the lives of people and the state’s economy. The following are some of the effects of floods in Assam: – Destruction of homes, infrastructure, and crops: Floods cause severe damage to houses, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. The floods also destroy crops, leading to food shortages and economic losses for farmers. – Loss of human and animal lives: Floods in Assam have claimed the lives of humans and animals alike. The floods displace people from their homes, and many lose their lives due to drowning or landslides. – Disruption of daily life and economic activities: The floods disrupt daily life and economic activities, leading to business closures and job losses. People are forced to evacuate their homes and move to relief camps, where they face several challenges.

Several factors contribute to the floods in Assam. The following are the primary causes of floods in the state: – Heavy rainfall and monsoon season: Assam receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, which causes the Brahmaputra and its tributaries to overflow. The excess water causes flooding in the state. – Deforestation and soil erosion lead to a decrease in forest cover and soil quality. The loss of vegetation cover reduces the soil’s ability to absorb water, leading to floods. – Poor drainage system and river management: The drainage system in Assam is inadequate, and the state’s rivers are poorly managed. The lack of proper river management leads to the rivers changing their course, leading to flooding in some areas.

In conclusion, floods in Assam have a significant impact on the state’s economy and the lives of people. The primary causes of floods in the state are heavy rainfall, deforestation, soil erosion, and poor river management. To mitigate the impact of floods, the government needs to invest in better drainage systems, river management, and reforestation. The people of Assam also need to be aware of the dangers of floods and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their property.

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‘He never returned’: Widespread misery in India’s flooded Assam

At least 28 dead and about a million people impacted as severe pre-monsoon rains cause flooding in parts of Assam.

Nagaon, Assam – Over two days, Krishna Bhadra had gone to his flooded house in Nagaon district’s Garmaj village several times to salvage his family’s belongings after floodwaters suddenly roared in last week.

The family of four had taken refuge in a small pavilion of a government building in Nagaon, 122km (76 miles) from the main city of Guwahati in India’s northeastern Assam state.

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On Saturday, Krishna asked his wife Basanti to cook quickly so he could eat and go back to the village.

“He went to check if our house has been totally damaged by the floodwater,” Basanti said. “He never returned.”

Krishna’s body was recovered by the police from the family’s flooded home on Sunday.

“He did not know how to swim. Perhaps he slipped and drowned,” Ganesh Rai, his brother-in-law told Al Jazeera.

Krishna, a daily wager, was the only earning member of the family.

As many as 28 people have lost their lives and approximately a million residents impacted as severe pre-monsoon rains led to landslides and flooding in parts of Assam.

‘Everything is under water’

The heavy pre-monsoon rains caused extensive damage to rail links and highways even as government officials said they were working “on a war-footing” to restore connectivity and provide relief.

The Kopili River, a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra, is still flowing over the danger mark. The river flowed at its highest flood level on May 17, marooning large parts of Hojai and Nagaon districts.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority’s (ASDMA) bulletin on Wednesday said nearly 600,000 people in the state’s 15 districts continue to be affected by the floods and more than 72,000 are still in relief camps in southern and central Assam.

Hundreds of others are living under tarpaulins on the highways, railway tracks or any other higher ground they could find even as floodwaters start to recede.

Since early April, flooding has affected 33 districts of Assam and about one million residents had to move to relief camps, ASDMA officials said.

Several government agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, have been called in for relief and rescue.

Assam’s minister for revenue and disaster management Jogen Mohan on Tuesday evening said the “situation is under control”.

But the locals are still in shock and waiting to start rebuilding their lives.

“It was in 2004 that the water level was this high,” recollected Asar Ali, a hawker in Dighali Ati village.

Since May 19, Asar’s family of seven has been living near the rail tracks under a tin and tarpaulin shack he borrowed from other villagers. Houses on both sides of the tracks are still under water as residents wait for more relief from the administration.

“So far we only got two kilogrammes (four pounds) of rice, 200 grammes (seven ounces) of lentils and a litre (about a quart) of water from the local administration,” Asar told Al Jazeera.

Every day, Asar walks to the nearby village with a bucket to get clean drinking water for the family.

In Barkhal village of Morigaon district, Kushila Rajbhar is still waiting for a tarpaulin from the local administration.

“Every time there is a flood, the relief comes and we get a tarpaulin and other things. This time we have only received chura (flattened rice), sugar, and biscuits,” Kushila told Al Jazeera, as she stood outside her flooded house.

Her meagre belongings, a few utensils and some clothes, lie on a black plastic sheet outside. The wet paddy has been spread on the highway to dry.

A part of the paddy field the family had been renting is now submerged under floodwaters.

“There is no work for me as everything is under water. I will have to look for work to provide for my family,” Rajbhar said.

‘Devastation unprecedented’

A senior government official described the floods as a “pre-monsoon shock”.

The flooding season in Assam usually starts after May 15. It is mostly during the monsoons that the many rivers flowing through the state, including Brahmaputra and Barak, are in spate and maroon large parts of the state.

Officials say acute rainfall in Assam and neighbouring areas between May 12 and May 18 was the reason for the widespread devastation in the hill district of Dima Hasao, Barak Valley in southern Assam and Nagaon and Hojai in central Assam.

ASDMA data shows Assam received 327 percent excess rainfall during this period, while neighbouring Meghalaya state saw 663 percent excess rains.

Mirza Zulfiqur Rahman, an independent researcher in Guwahati, says it was the excess rainfall since March this year that foreshadowed the current devastation.

“Whatever damage happened is not just because of rainfall that happened in May but also because of rainfall that happened in March which laid down the ground conditions for this high intensity rainfall to create more damage,” he told Al Jazeera.

Between March 1 and May 25, Assam received 55 percent excess rainfall while neighbouring Meghalaya recieved 122 percent excess rains as per IMD data .

“This kind of devastation is unprecedented,” said Daniel Langthasa, a member of the North Cachar Hill Autonomous District Council (NCHADC), which has partial legislative and executive jurisdiction over Dima Hasao, a tribal district and the state’s only hill station.

“In Haflong, the villages have caved in,” Langthasa said.

The picturesque hill station bore the brunt of the devastation. Riki B Phukan, an ASDMA official in Dima Hasao, said the district had seen more than 100 landslides since May 10. In the Haflong block of the district, as many as 2,756 houses were damaged.

“We are yet to assess the damage in other parts as the roads have been damaged,” he said, adding that the power supply is yet to be fully restored. Some parts of the district have had no power since May 10.

Landslides also damaged National Highway 54, which cuts through Dima Hasao and the Lumding-Badarpur section of the Indian railways network which connects southern Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur states.

“We are looking to restore the rail link by July 10,” said a spokesperson of the Northeast Frontier Railways.

Mohan, Assam’s minister for revenue and disaster management, said the highway has been restored till Haflong. “The work is going on war footing to restore the damaged roads,” he said.

The state administration requisitioned the Indian Air Force to drop essential supplies and fuel to inaccessible parts of the district. “Till Tuesday, 20 tonnes of fuel and food supplies had been airdropped,” said Ibon Teron, a senior district official.

Experts say this excessive rainfall is rare and a clear sign of climate change.

“Such excessive rainfall and such calamitous floods affecting more than half of the state’s geographical area has been rarely seen,” said Partha Jyoti Das, who heads the Water, Climate and Hazard Division of the Aaranyak, a Guwahati-based NGO.

“This is clearly a signature of climate change under the impact of which the northeast region is projected to receive extremely high rain episodes, more frequently and all over.”

Experts say it is futile to blame climate change alone and that non-climatic factors have worsened the flood situation. Rahman explains how ecological concerns were ignored as infrastructure building got a big push in the region.

“The logic given for infrastructure building was that it is for furthering economic connectivity. But at the same time they were disrupting the ecological connectivity. If you don’t put ecological connectivity at the heart of economic connectivity projects, all such projects are doomed to fail in the face of climate change,” Rahman told Al Jazeera.

Dima Hasao is one of the districts in Assam that have seen many big-ticket infrastructure projects recently, including a broad-gauge rail link, roads and highways.

Das attributes the grim flood scenario to how deforestation and faulty land use practices have increased riverbed siltation even as structural measures and encroachment on core floodplains cause channel congestion.

ASDMA chief Gyanendra Dev Tripathi said the government is working on a multi-pronged strategy to deal with the floods. He explained how the early warning system is being upgraded to make sure residents are alerted in time with more accuracy.

The government has also built community shelters in some districts, which would work as relief camps during flooding and community spaces during normal times. More are being built.

The state government has chosen 100 villages where it is testing a climate-resilient infrastructure, including raised houses, and proper water and sanitation systems.

But experts say the government needs to do more. “They are trying to mitigate flood hazards with age-old and temporary measures like earthen embankments,” Das said.

“Non-structural measures like catchment and watershed management and flood forecasting and flood early warning etc, have never been taken seriously,” he said, adding that Assam needed “a time-bound master plan with a pragmatic, progressive and adaptive integrated flood and erosion management policy”.

• Monday, April 8, 2024
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Flood in Assam essay | Detailed Essay

Flood in Assam essay : Amidst the serene landscapes and rich cultural tapestry of India’s northeastern state, Assam, lies a recurring tragedy that has tested the resilience of its people for decades – the annual floods. Beyond the vibrant festivals and picturesque vistas, these floods bring a wave of devastation that leaves communities grappling with loss and displacement. In this essay, we embark on a journey to understand the multifaceted dimensions of the Assam floods, examining the underlying causes, the far-reaching consequences, and the valiant efforts to mitigate their impact. As we delve into the heart of this calamity, we shed light on the intricate interplay between nature’s forces and human determination, and how this juxtaposition shapes the narrative of a region’s struggle for survival.

So here is the detailed essay on Assam Floods:

Table of Contents

Flood in assam essay, introduction:.

Assam, a northeastern state of India, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and diverse cultures. However, it also faces a recurring natural challenge – annual floods . These floods are primarily caused by the overflow of the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries, affecting millions of lives and causing extensive damage to property, infrastructure, and the environment.

Causes of Flooding :

The Brahmaputra River, one of the largest rivers in the world, originates in Tibet and flows through Assam. During the monsoon season, heavy rainfall in the region and in the upstream areas of the river basin leads to a massive inflow of water. The combination of heavy rainfall, the river’s considerable width, and the inadequate drainage infrastructure in many areas results in overflowing riverbanks and widespread inundation. Additionally, the region’s hilly terrain exacerbates the problem as water rushes downhill, overwhelming settlements and agricultural fields.

Impact on People:

The annual floods in Assam have a profound impact on the lives of the people. Thousands are displaced from their homes, forced to seek refuge in temporary relief camps. These camps often lack basic amenities, leading to health issues and a general decline in the quality of life. Loss of livelihoods is another significant concern, as farmlands are submerged, livestock is lost, and transportation and communication networks are disrupted. Furthermore, the floodwaters contaminate drinking water sources, leading to the outbreak of waterborne diseases.

Environmental Consequences:

The floods not only affect human lives but also the rich biodiversity of the region. Assam is home to several endangered species like the one-horned rhinoceros, and their habitats are at risk due to the inundation caused by floods. The floodwaters erode soil and deposit sediment, which can alter the composition of the soil and impact agricultural productivity in the long term. Wetlands and forests also suffer from degradation, disrupting ecological balance and affecting the overall environment.

Response and Mitigation:

The Assam government, along with central agencies, undertakes various measures to mitigate the impact of annual floods. These include constructing embankments and flood control structures, improving drainage systems, and creating elevated roads to maintain connectivity during floods. Early warning systems are also deployed to alert communities about impending floods. However, challenges such as the scale of the problem, resource limitations, and the need for constant maintenance pose obstacles to effective mitigation.

Sustainable Solutions:

To address the issue of annual floods sustainably, a multi-faceted approach is required. This includes:

• Integrated River Management: Developing a comprehensive approach to managing rivers and their basins, which involves not only flood control but also considering ecological and social aspects.
• Improved Infrastructure: Building robust embankments and drainage systems, along with consistent maintenance, to ensure efficient water management during floods.
• Ecosystem Restoration: Preserving and restoring natural ecosystems like wetlands and floodplains that can act as buffers during floods and contribute to biodiversity conservation.
• Community Preparedness: Educating and training communities to be better prepared for floods, including developing evacuation plans, raising awareness about sanitation and health, and promoting sustainable livelihood options.
• Climate Change Adaptation: Recognizing the influence of climate change on the frequency and intensity of floods, and integrating climate adaptation strategies into flood management plans.

Conclusion : Flood in Assam Essay

The annual floods in Assam present a significant challenge that requires both immediate relief measures and long-term sustainable solutions. By combining government efforts, community involvement, and innovative strategies, it is possible to reduce the impact of these floods on both people’s lives and the environment. Through holistic and adaptive approaches, Assam can navigate its way towards a more resilient future in the face of this recurring natural disaster.

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Flood in Assam Essay: Assam Flood Essay for Students

Flood in Assam Essay: Assam, a state in northeastern India, is no stranger to the devastating impact of floods. Every year, heavy monsoon rains and the overflowing of rivers, particularly the mighty Brahmaputra, lead to widespread flooding in the region. The consequences are far-reaching, affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. Here are a few steps to sample Flood in Assam Essay

Table of Contents

100 Words Flood in Assam Essay

Floods in Assam, are an annual occurrence, causing immense devastation. With heavy rainfall and the overflow of the Brahmaputra River, floods ravage the region, displacing thousands and damaging crops and infrastructure. The consequences are dire, leading to loss of life, destruction of homes, and disruption of essential services. The government and humanitarian organizations work tirelessly to provide relief and rescue operations, but the scale of the problem remains immense. Long-term solutions, such as the construction of embankments and reservoirs, as well as effective early warning systems, are crucial to mitigate the impact of floods and protect the lives and livelihoods of the people in Assam.

500 Words Flood in Assam Essay

Flood in Assam Essay Introduction I. Briefly introduce Assam and its geographical location Highlight the recurring issue of floods in Assa Causes of Floods in Assam Flood in Assam Essay: Floods in Assam have been an ongoing and devastating issue for the state located in northeastern India. Assam, known for its lush green landscapes and the mighty Brahmaputra River, experiences annual floods that wreak havoc on the lives and livelihoods of its people. The flood situation in Assam is a result of multiple factors, including heavy rainfall, geographical factors, and the overflowing of rivers. The Brahmaputra River, which flows through the state, is a major contributor to the flooding, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and the environment. Agriculture, which forms a significant part of Assam’s economy, suffers tremendously from floods. The fertile plains of Assam, ideal for cultivating crops, are submerged, leading to massive crop losses. The floodwaters not only destroy standing crops but also deposit silt and sand, rendering the soil less fertile for future cultivation. The agricultural sector takes a significant hit during the flood season, leading to food shortages, economic losses, and an adverse impact on the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities.

II. Discuss the primary cause: heavy rainfall in the region Explain the role of the Brahmaputra River in flooding Mention the impact of climate change on the frequency and intensity of floods The primary cause of floods in Assam is the region’s heavy rainfall. The state receives substantial precipitation during the monsoon season, which lasts from June to September. The combination of intense rainfall and the topography of Assam, characterized by its low-lying plains and numerous rivers, leads to water accumulation and subsequent flooding. The Brahmaputra River, originating in the Himalayas, is responsible for a significant portion of the floodwaters. The river, known for its enormous volume of water, often breaches its banks, submerging vast areas of land in its path.

III. Impact of Floods on Assam Discuss the devastation caused by floods, including loss of life and property Highlight the damage to infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings Explain the economic consequences, such as crop destruction and loss of livelihoods Climate change has also exacerbated the flood situation in Assam. Changing weather patterns, increased intensity of rainfall, and rising temperatures have contributed to more frequent and severe floods. The changing climate has disrupted the delicate balance of the ecosystem in Assam, affecting both human and animal life. The impacts of floods are wide-ranging, affecting various aspects of the state’s socio-economic fabric.

IV. Government and Humanitarian Response Describe the efforts made by the government to tackle the flood situation Discuss the role of humanitarian organizations in providing relief and rescue operations Highlight the challenges faced in delivering aid to affected areas The government of Assam, along with various national and international humanitarian organizations, works tirelessly to provide relief and rescue operations during floods. Temporary shelters are set up to accommodate the displaced population, and efforts are made to ensure access to clean water, food, and medical assistance. The armed forces, disaster response teams, and volunteers play a crucial role in rescuing people stranded in flood-affected areas.

V. Long-term Solutions Discuss the importance of long-term solutions to address the flood issue Explain the construction of embankments and reservoirs as preventive measures Highlight the need for improved early warning systems and disaster preparedness While immediate relief efforts are essential, it is equally crucial to focus on long-term solutions to address the flood issue in Assam. Constructing embankments and reservoirs can help regulate the flow of water and prevent flooding in vulnerable areas. Additionally, effective early warning systems need to be established to provide timely alerts to communities at risk. Enhancing disaster preparedness and strengthening the capacity to respond to floods are vital components of long-term flood management strategies.

VI. Conclusion Summarize the key points discussed in the post Emphasize the importance of concerted efforts to mitigate the impact of floods in Assam Call for greater awareness and support to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people in Assam.

In conclusion, the issue of floods in Assam demands urgent attention and comprehensive solutions. The recurring floods have wreaked havoc on the lives and livelihoods of the people in the region. The primary causes, including heavy rainfall and the overflow of rivers like the Brahmaputra, have been compounded by the effects of climate change. The devastating consequences range from loss of human life and displacement to the destruction of infrastructure and agriculture. While immediate relief efforts are crucial, long-term solutions are imperative. Constructing embankments, reservoirs, and early warning systems, along with promoting sustainable agricultural practices, can mitigate the impact of floods and enhance the resilience of communities. It is vital to prioritize the safety, well-being, and sustainable development of Assam to overcome the challenges posed by floods.

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‘Like a scene from Titanic’: floods in Assam submerge entire villages

India’s monsoon season has been worse than usual, sweeping away possessions and leaving people huddling on raised ground

P eople living in Assam, in north-east India , are usually stoical about the flooding that occurs to a greater or lesser extent every monsoon season. But this year they say the situation is dramatically worse. “It was like a scene from Titanic,” one man told local media of the rising waters that have flooded all but two of the state’s districts.

In some places entire villages are under water, while across the state 114,000 hectares of crops have been submerged and 5,000 livestock have been washed away. For those that remain, fodder is running out.

Since April, 82 people have died in the rain and landslides, including two police officers who were swept away on Monday as they attempted a rescue.

In the worst-affected areas, life has been reduced to huddling on any tiny patch of raised dry ground that people can find. Families living under tarpaulin tied to bamboo poles are using dwindling supplies of cooking gas to cook basic meals. There is an air of despondency over all that has been lost: furniture, utensils, documents, irreplaceable photos.

“There was no time to save anything, it all happened so fast. My house was made of bamboo. It just broke. I saw my possessions vanish in a flash,” said a woman from the village of Nagaon who was sitting with her children and some saucepans on a bed that had been raised above the swirling waters with the help of bamboo poles.

The unending rain has raised the water level in the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries, flooding villages. Barpeta district in Lower Assam is the worst hit.

The Assam state disaster management authority has said more than 4 million people, including 1 million children, have been affected. It hopes to send trains carrying relief including diesel, petrol and medicine to the affected areas soon.

Pregnant women, mothers with infants, elderly and sick people have been the worst affected. “My mother is 84 and has a heart condition. Her medicines were swept away with everything else. I can’t move while there is water all round and they are predicting more rain,” said Ashok Bohra, a local journalist.

Those who are not living in tents on the roadside are in relief camps, where conditions are fast becoming congested and insanitary.

Some images of the flooding have been striking. In the state capital, Guwahati, one man was seen strapping together wooden planks for a raft and placing a red plastic table on top with bottles of drinking water, candles, and matchsticks. He sold his wares while rowing through the muddy waters.

Elsewhere, a father moved his baby to safety by carrying it in a washing bowl in waist-high water.

The Indian army has been taking food parcels to marooned villagers. Soldiers are moving from one place to another in speedboats and inflatable rafts to rescue those stranded.

In Guwahati, where the waters are receding, Mazin Mukhtar, an educational theorist, is turning the government schools where he works into relief camps for those who need shelter. “Some of our employees who have homes further away have seen a lot of destruction,” said Mukhtar. “But when these floods recede, families will rebuild their makeshift bamboo homes in the same place, because that’s where their fields and livelihoods are.”

Assam’s chief minister, Himanta Biswas Sarma, told the Deccan Herald newspaper that the rain was unprecedented. He said he was in regular touch with the federal home minister, Amit Shah, about help with the disaster.

Experts say the rain has been double the usual amount, and is an example of the sort of extreme weather event made more likely by the climate crisis.

Meanwhile in the Indian capital, Delhi, a prolonged heatwave has made life miserable since mid-March, and in surrounding states the abnormal heat has reduced the wheat yield by between 18% and 30%.

Abinash Mohanty, a programme lead at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, said the climate crisis, along with unsustainable landscape planning, was responsible for the flooding.

“According to our analysis, there has been a twofold increase in extreme flood events in Assam in the past five decades,” Mohanty said. The only way forward, he added, was for people in Assam to become “flood-ready” and adapt to the changing weather patterns.

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Floods Put Residents And Vulnerable Wildlife At Risk In India's Assam

Sushmita Pathak

A one-horned rhinoceros and a calf wade through flood water at the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam, India, Thursday. Floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains have killed dozens of people in this northeastern region. The floods also inundated most of Kaziranga National Park, home to a large concentration of the rare rhino species. Anupam Nath/AP hide caption

A one-horned rhinoceros and a calf wade through flood water at the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam, India, Thursday. Floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains have killed dozens of people in this northeastern region. The floods also inundated most of Kaziranga National Park, home to a large concentration of the rare rhino species.

Heavy rains lashing India's northeastern state of Assam have triggered severe flooding and landslides, killing at least 80 people . More than a million people have been moved to relief centers. Thousands of villages are underwater as authorities try to rescue people — and animals. Large swaths of a national park, home to a number of rare species, are submerged.

As much as 95% of Kaziranga National Park may be underwater, Indian media report . Forest officials have been deploying boats with crews working to save stranded animals. The national park's director told reporters Wednesday that at least 66 wild animals, including rhinos and deer, have died. Some 170 animals have been rescued, including a female rhino calf . Officials say she got separated from her mother during the floods and is now at the park's rehabilitation center.

Peppered with grassy meadows, thick forests and lagoons, Kaziranga National Park stretches over 160 square miles. It's one of India's best-known wildlife tourism destinations and is home to elephants, wild water buffalo, sloth bears, leopards and swamp deer. It was declared a tiger reserve in 2006.

But its most famous residents are the greater one-horned rhinoceroses. According to UNESCO, the park has more than 2,000 of them — the largest concentration of this species of rhinos anywhere in the world.

A family takes shelter on the roof of their house submerged in a flood along Brahmaputra river in Morigaon district, Assam, India, Thursday. Anupam Nath/AP hide caption

A family takes shelter on the roof of their house submerged in a flood along Brahmaputra river in Morigaon district, Assam, India, Thursday.

At the start of the 20th century, only about 200 greater one-horned rhinoceros were alive . Hunters drove the rhinos to the brink of extinction, poaching their horn, which is used in some traditional Asian medicine. Conservation efforts at Kaziranga played a huge role in their recovery. The national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

The greater one-horned rhino is still classified as a vulnerable species, which means it faces a "high risk of extinction in the wild," according to the World Wildlife Fund. Earlier, poachers were considered the biggest threat to these mammals, but in recent years, more rhinos have died due to annual monsoon floods. Last year 17 rhinos perished when the national park was submerged. In 2017, 31 rhinos were killed during floods.

But the floods may not be all bad.

"This annual phenomenon plays an important role in maintaining the balance of the local ecosystem," writes conservationist Jack Bedford with the U.K.-based nonprofit Save the Rhino International.

Bedford says floodwaters deposit nutrients that make the grasslands more fertile. That means more food for rhinos and other herbivores. Floods also help root out invasive species like the water hyacinth, which threatens the native flora that rhinos eat.

But floods can exacerbate human-wildlife conflict. As Kaziranga gets inundated, herds of elephants and other animals have been making their way to nearby villages at higher elevations.

"The period of flood in Kaziranga has been a golden time for poachers ... as the rhinos move to high lands in search of rehabilitation and fodder and escape the floods," Parimal Suklabaidya, the environment and forest minister for Assam state, said in a statement last year.

To nab poachers amid floods, the government introduced a Rhino Protection Force last year.

While floods are an annual occurrence in eastern India, rescue efforts have been complicated by the coronavirus pandemic this year. On Friday, India recorded its biggest spike so far in new infections, taking its total recorded caseload to over 1 million.

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Flash floods in Indian state Assam kill eight

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Reporting by Zarir Hussain; Writing by Shivam Patel; Editing by Tom Hogue

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