Robust Recount: Floods and Landslides in India: Mortality, Impacted Regions, and Predictions
Mortality and Affected Regions
Catastrophic flooding and landslides in India leave more than 30 dead - Lethal Floods and Landslides in India Claim More Than 30 Lives
India's northeast sector grapples with massive flooding and landslides, with Assam and Arunachal Pradesh being the hardest hit states. In Assam, over half a million citizens have faced the brunt of floods and mudslides, resulting in at least 44 deaths as reported by PTI[1][3]. The floodwaters have submerged the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries, causing widespread devastation[1]. The Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh has seen more than 61,000 residents affected, although no official number of fatalities has been announced thus far[1][3].
Kaziranga National Park, renowned for its Indian rhinos, has faced significant inundation, pushing wildlife to seek sanctuary in the higher Karbi Anglong hills[1]. Landslides have wreaked havoc in urban settings like Guwahati, where inadequate drainage systems and landslide-prone locations have magnified the disaster's impact[3].
Predictions for Mid-Week
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red and orange alerts for specific parts of Assam while also issuing orange and yellow alerts for other northeastern regions. Although rainfall intensity is predicted to decline in the upcoming days, citizens remain on high alert[3].
In recent times, the monsoon pattern has become erratic due to factors like warmer temperatures and variable weather tendencies[4].
Response and Relief Efforts
Emergency squads consisting of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local government, and forces such as the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are carrying out rescue operations[3]. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority has reported considerable harm to cultivated land, with approximately 15,000 hectares being damaged[1]. The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh has pledged compensation to the bereaved families[3].
[1] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-floods-over-50-lakh-people-affected-more-than-40-dead-2758807[2] https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/wxzj9d/india-flooding-disasters-kaziranga-monsoons-climate[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/india/heavy-rains-prompt-evacuations-indias-northeast-sector-2021-06-19/[4] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/monsoon-season-officially-starts-in-kerala-and-west-bengal/article34778177.ece
- The floods and landslides in India, particularly in the northeast regions like Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, have led to increased interest in the field of environmental science, as experts analyze the impact of these disasters on the region's ecosystem.
- As the monsoon season continues, general news outlets are closely monitoring weather updates, reporting on predicted rainfall patterns and emergency response measures, such as the ones being implemented by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
- Amidst calls for increased action against climate change and its effects on natural disasters like the recent floods and landslides in India, the study of environmental science and its role in understanding and mitigating such events becomes increasingly important, aligning with the broader discussion on crime and justice in relation to environmental degradation.
