NEW DELHI – Monsoon floods have claimed more than 100 lives across India since July, according to official figures released on Wednesday. Heavy rainfall has also triggered landslides and forced thousands of people to leave their homes in several states.
The annual monsoon season is vital for agriculture across South Asia. However, scientists say climate change is making rainfall more unpredictable and intense. Experts warn that these changing weather patterns are increasing the risk of floods and other natural disasters.
Among the worst-hit areas is India’s northeastern state of Assam. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said at least 87 people have lost their lives due to the ongoing monsoon floods.
The Sivasagar district has suffered the highest number of casualties in the state. Officials reported that 47 people died there as floodwaters submerged several towns and villages. Many roads remain underwater, making rescue operations difficult.
The Assam government has appealed to the public for financial support to help with relief and rehabilitation efforts. Chief Minister Sarma described the destruction as one of the worst disasters the affected areas have experienced.
He said damaged infrastructure can be rebuilt, but lives lost cannot be replaced. Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage caused by the flooding.
Images from the affected areas showed residents using inflatable boats and makeshift rafts to reach safer locations. Disaster response teams have been helping stranded families move to higher ground.
In the southern state of Kerala, heavy rainfall over several days also caused severe damage. Officials confirmed that at least 15 people were killed, while seven others remain missing.
Floodwaters and landslides forced thousands of residents to evacuate. More than 300 relief camps have been established across the state, providing shelter to over 10,000 displaced people.
Rising river levels and overflowing streams damaged homes, roads, and public infrastructure. Emergency services remain on alert as more rainfall is expected in several districts.
The Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir also experienced deadly weather conditions. Public broadcaster reports said at least 31 people died after intense rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides.
Across India, monsoon floods have become an annual challenge following the hot summer season. While the rains provide water for farming, they also create significant risks for communities living in vulnerable areas.
Neighbouring Sri Lanka has also been affected by severe weather. Officials said unusually heavy rainfall caused flash floods and mudslides, killing at least eight people since Monday.
Nearly 12,000 residents in central Sri Lanka have been displaced from their homes due to flooding. At the same time, eastern parts of the country continue to face severe drought conditions.
Authorities have been transporting drinking water to affected communities using tanker trucks. The Sri Lankan government has linked the extreme weather to this year’s El Niño climate pattern, which affects temperatures across the Pacific Ocean.
Officials have not yet estimated the total economic impact of the severe weather. However, the government has formed a ministerial task force to reduce the effects of the ongoing climate challenges.
In other news read more about PDMA Issues Urban Flood and Landslide Warning Across Punjab
The latest monsoon floods highlight the growing impact of extreme weather across South Asia. Authorities in both India and Sri Lanka continue rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts as forecasts warn that more heavy rainfall could occur in the coming days.
