Why Are Assam and Gujarat Flooding at the Same Time?
Severe monsoon floods have caused widespread damage and loss of life in both Assam and Gujarat.
Heavy monsoon rains have caused severe floods in both Assam and Gujarat this year, even though the two states are nearly 2,000 kilometres apart.
Assam is facing one of its worst flood situations this monsoon. According to official reports, at least 66 people have died and more than 6.5 lakh people have been affected. Hundreds of villages are underwater, forcing many families to leave their homes. The Army, NDRF, SDRF, and local authorities are carrying out rescue and relief operations. A video of a father pushing his children to safety in a large metal tub through floodwaters has touched millions of people online.
Gujarat, which is usually known for its dry climate, has also received record-breaking rainfall. Umbergaon recorded around 1,100 mm of rain in just 16 hours, while Ahmedabad received nearly 295 mm of rain in a single day. The heavy rain caused rivers to overflow, flooded roads and homes, and led to rescue operations across the state. At least 35 people have died, and the Army has rescued more than 790 people. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that heavy rain may continue in some areas.
Although Assam and Gujarat are far apart, both are affected by the southwest monsoon. This year, the monsoon became unusually strong, bringing extremely heavy rainfall to both northeastern and western India at the same time.
Assam faces floods almost every year because of the Brahmaputra River, many smaller rivers flowing into it, and water coming from Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan. Experts also say climate change, deforestation, and changes to the natural landscape are making floods more frequent and severe.
Gujarat does not usually face such widespread floods. This time, very heavy rainfall within a short period overwhelmed rivers and drainage systems, leading to flooding in many areas.
Heartbreaking videos from both states show families walking through floodwaters, people stranded on rooftops, damaged homes, and rescue teams working around the clock to save lives.
