Torrential rains and surging rivers in north-east India and Bangladesh have led to at least nine deaths and affected over three million residents. In Assam, India, floods have submerged thousands of villages, while in Bangladesh, 1.8 million people are impacted. The tragic events highlight the ongoing challenges faced by these regions during monsoon season.
Torrential rains and surging rivers across north-east India and Bangladesh have killed at least nine people, affecting over three million residents, according to disaster officials on July 4, 2024. In India’s north-eastern state of Assam, eight deaths were reported in the past day, raising the death toll since mid-May to 46. Floodwaters have submerged approximately 2,800 villages in Assam, impacting over 1.6 million people. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attributed the situation to rain in upstream Arunachal Pradesh, stating it is beyond human control.
In Bangladesh, around 1.8 million people have been affected by the floods, with waters expected to rise further over the next three days. A 21-year-old man drowned while fishing. Both regions frequently experience severe monsoon rains causing widespread devastation, which experts link to climate change.
Amidst these floods, a 25-year-old Indian woman named Jahanara Khatoon gave birth on a boat while escaping the rising waters of the Brahmaputra River. Assisted by a medical team, Khatoon delivered her daughter during the perilous journey from her inundated island home in Assam state’s Morigaon district. The newborn, named Karima, symbolizes resilience amid the extreme conditions faced by millions in the region.
