Massive floods have inundated parts of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh recently, causing numerous fatalities and impacting millions of people. Large-scale rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities relocating thousands to shelters and providing essential supplies to those stranded.
The Brahmaputra and Koshi rivers, crucial waterways spanning multiple nations, have burst their banks due to intense rainfall. Massive floods and landslides are typical during South Asia’s monsoon season, which receives the majority of its annual precipitation.
However, experts attribute the worsening frequency and severity of these events to climate change. In Nepal, recent flooding has claimed at least 14 lives, obstructed major highways, and destroyed bridges. Authorities caution residents in southeastern areas as the Koshi River exceeds safe water levels.
“This is not new for us, but the timing is wrong,” remarked Kathmandu resident Rajkumar Bk, citing early and intense rainfall triggering high water levels that threaten local communities.
In Assam, India, approximately 2.4 million people have been impacted by Massive floods, with 66 fatalities reported since mid-May. Officials have issued warnings of further rainfall, anticipating rising water levels in the Brahmaputra River in the days ahead. Roads and extensive agricultural land along the Brahmaputra and other rivers have been submerged.
Recent television footage depicted villagers rescuing belongings and evacuating flooded homes by boat, while numerous bridges and roads have been destroyed, isolating remote communities. Kaziranga National Park in Assam, home to nearly 2,200 one-horned rhinoceroses, has also been flooded, resulting in the deaths of four rhinos and numerous deer and other wildlife. Experts have described this as one of the most severe flooding events in recent years in terms of wildlife casualties.
Additionally, due to heavy rains, some schools in Mumbai, India’s financial hub, were closed on Monday as parts of the city experienced significant inundation.
In Bangladesh, authorities reported that floods have affected two million people, resulting in at least eight fatalities. The Brahmaputra River’s overflow has submerged a quarter of the country’s districts. Local councillor Abdul Gafur noted that while flooding is common, this year saw unusually high water levels, with the Brahmaputra rising 6 to 8 feet (2 to 2.5 meters) in just three days.
Efforts are underway to distribute essential food items like rice and edible oil, but there is a shortage of drinking water. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization has forecasted “above normal” rainfall for the South Asian monsoon season, expected to continue until September.
