INTRODUCTION
Everyone by now would have heard about the recent floods in Assam which have led to the great destruction of life and property. It has left everyone disturbed throughout the state including animals and plant life. But this isn't the first time the state of Assam has been doomed like this. In fact, it has happened over several occasions that it has now become a common problem in the state. The state experiences flood-like situations each year although the severity of the problem may vary drastically. Adding to the floods, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has left Assam in a very poor condition. This problem is not just restricted to Assam and its neighbouring states but also other countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh.
CAUSES
The main cause of floods in North-east India and Bangladesh is the overflowing of the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries. The monsoon rains which occur throughout the Indian subcontinent play a very integral role in arousing these floods. During the monsoon season, floods are common in India. Heavy rains cause the rivers to swell up and they stop flowing through their small braided channels. Deforestation plays a pivotal role in causing these floods. In fact, deforestation in the Brahmaputra watershed has resulted in increased siltation levels, flash floods, and soil erosion in critical downstream habitat. The flood problem of Assam is further aggravated due to flash floods by the rivers flowing down from neighbouring states like Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. During the year 2004 and 2014, the south bank tributaries of the Brahmaputra in lower Assam experienced flash floods of high magnitude due to cloud burst in the catchment areas in Meghalaya. Holding a discharge of about 19,830 cubic meters per second, the river ranks fourth on the planet in respect of discharge at the mouth. Another major problem being faced by the state of Assam is bank erosion by the river Brahmaputra, Barak and its large number of tributaries. Another huge problem is the huge width of the Brahmaputra river. Due to bank erosion and other factors, the Brahmaputra’s width has increased over the years. The average width of Brahmaputra is 5.46 Km. The bank to bank width of Brahmaputra is around 26 Km and it can go up to 38 Km in the monsoon. The huge number of dams being built in the region has also contributed towards these devastating floods.
IMPACTS
These floods have social, economical and environmental consequences. The Brahmaputra floods have caused humongous amounts of destruction over the years. Every year millions of people are displaced due to these floods. Many lose their lives and property including their homes due to these floods. These floods also bring damage to a large number of crops, hence creating a food shortage in the state and its neighbouring states. It also leads to a huge loss of livestock. Many communication links are also cut off. These floods also have several after-effects which stay on to haunt the people. Disruption in power supply will increase post the floods. There can be an outbreak of various diseases post the floods which again troubles the survivors. As communication links and infrastructure such as power plants, roads and bridges are damaged and disrupted, some economic activities may come to a standstill and people are forced to leave their homes, leaving normal life disrupted. Floods can also traumatise victims and their families for long periods. The loss of loved ones has deep impacts, especially on children. Displacement from one's home, loss of property and disruption to business and social affairs can cause continuing stress. For some people, psychological impacts can be long-lasting. The everyday life of people will be highly affected for a long time post the flood situation.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
Adding to the problem, the floods don’t pity the helpless condition of the wildlife in Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary as well. Kaziranga National Park is one most popular national parks not only in Assam but throughout India. It is the home to the highly endangered one-horned Indian Rhinoceros and a large number of other animal species like Indian Elephants, Bengal Tigers, Indian Leopards, Sloth Bears and many more. These floods have affected the lives of so many of these animals. A large number of animals have also died due to these floods and many more are strangled in remote and dangerous places. The forest department, therefore, has created 144 high land areas inside the forest covering just 50 acres. This artificial migration technique has limitedly benefitted the traumatized animals resulting in their increased vulnerability. This is of huge concern as these floods have brought about a decline in the number of the one-horned Rhinos which can mostly be found only at the Kaziranga National Park. 85% of the park's total area has been submerged by the recent floods. A large amount of forest cover in Assam and the nearby states have also been demolished by these continuous floods. More than 130 animals have lost their lives in these floods.
CONCLUSION
To sum it all, Assam has faced many hardships due to floods throughout the years. But every time people have come back stronger. The current COVID-19 pandemic has just increased the risk and has created a new set of problems. The government should get involved more in developing the state and providing the immediate and maximum amount of help to those affected by the floods. Considering the frequency of the floods in the past few years, the government and people should be more prepared than usual to keep it under control. Yes, it is a very difficult task, but a certain amount of precaution can always be fruitful to the people in some way or the other. Nature and wildlife are also at great risk. Looking at the great amount of loss in nature and wildlife, the government should find a solution to this problem as well. Better arrangements should be made for the problems arising post the floods. By working together and staying strong Assam and its neighbouring states will be prepared to take on a future calamity.
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