Double whammy for Assam as it fights both floods and COVID-19

The disastrous floods in Assam have claimed over 142 lives so far and counting. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority's (ASDMA) the deaths were reported from Baksa, Barpeta, Dhubri, Morigaon, and Nagaon even as 24 other districts continue to remain affected by the flood. More than 70 lakh people have been affected by the floods in the state.

Fury of the Brahmaputra

Assam is a flood-prone state as the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers with more than 50 tributaries, crisscross the state. The Brahmaputra has been flowing above the danger mark. The river which originates in the Tibetan region and makes its way to the Bay of Bengal causes havoc during the monsoon season and floods Assam as a regular feature. It uproots crops, causes mudslides and displaces people. As per the flood report by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) the Brahmaputra Brahmaputra River was flowing above danger level in several places in the state.This year the challenges have doubled for residents as the floods have come while coronavirus pandemic rages on.

Loss of lives and livelihood

As per the ASDMA bulletin, over 1000 homes have been washed away due to the flood and over 25 lakh animals have also been exposed to danger. Over 40 lakh people have been affected.
The state is already battling with COVID-19, with 24,000 people having tested positive. Over 51,000 people are seeking shelter at 302 relief camps set up by the government in the flood-hit districts, but thousands of others are still deprived of basic necessities. They are still living on roads, embankments after the floodwaters wrecked their homes.
Although the government has urged people to maintain social distancing norms to curb the spread of coronavirus, it is next to impossible to follow them in the face of such an extreme natural calamity. Most flood victims are living in cramped spaces without basic amenities.

Animals at risk

Nine rhinos besides 108 wild animals have died during this year's floods at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR), Assam. The authorities, however, managed to help recover an exhausted rhino who had strayed on to the national highway on July 18, 2020. On the same day, the carcass of a female rhino was found in the central range of the park. She died of drowning. Nearly 85 per cent area of the park, which is spread over 430 sq km, is filled with water at this time.  A total  of 60 animals have died due to drowning- 36 hog deer, eight rhinos, three wild buffalo, one python, seven wild bear, two swamp deer, one Sambar, two porcupines. Another fifteen hog deer died after getting hit by vehicles on national highway 37 close to the park, while trying to escape the flood waters.

Why is Assam flooded every year?

Poorly constructed river embankments have been the major cause of flooding in Assam since the 1960s. Almost  197 earthen embankments have been damaged. Brittle embankments are the major reason why Assam suffers every monsoon season.
"One major feature of flood management in Assam is total dependence on embankments. If the approach to a very complicated problem is on a mono strategy that is technically unsound, then you are in great danger and that is what's happening," said Partha Jyoti Das, head, the water, climate and hazard programme, of Assam-based conservation NGO Aaranyak.
The ASDMA officials admit that the brittle embankments have often jeopardised flood management plans.

Government aid

The state government has so far distributed 99,176 quintals of rice, 19,397 quintals of dal, and 173,006 litres of mustard oil as relief material to people affected by the flood. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has also urged all ministers of the state government and MLAs to help the flood-affected people in their respective districts. PM Narendra Modi also spoke with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal about the flood situation and expressed solidarity with the people. He assured his full support to the flood-hit state.

Climate change adds to Assam's woes

Rampant deforestation is also one of the reasons for climate change, which results in natural disasters. As glaciers melt in the Himalayas, Brahmaputra gets more volume of water into Assam.Cutting of hills and trees have just hastened the process of climate change in the region.

What can be done to avoid flooding

There are several long-term and short-terms solutions. Flood forecasting needs to be done accurately. Construction on low-lying flood plains should be banned. Adequate planning is required months in advance. Government needs to act and not react when the time comes.
In the short term,  authorities should be asked to keep track of latest updates from the Central Water Commission.  Water levels of the Brahmaputra river should also be monitored . During the floods, Section 144 should be imposed on National highways and barricades must also be placed to give way to animals. Proper construction and management of embankments must be done and should be monitored on a regular basis