Eastern India's monsoon tragedy: Floods wreak havoc in Assam

The eastern part of India is facing a difficult situation. Since the end of May, due to heavy rains and landslides, more than 80 people have died in this region. It is not only humans who are victims; over 150 animals have died due to floods in one of the national parks.

Nearly one-third of the surface area of Kaziranga National Park, located in the state of Assam in north-eastern India, has been flooded.

In this national park, almost half of the world's population of Indian rhinos, which numbers around 4,000 individuals, resides.

"Safety of Animals" our topmost priority," we read in a post published on the X platform by the Nagaon police, who also assisted the park authorities. Although Kaziranga's staff constantly monitored the movement of animal herds to higher ground, the tragedy could not be avoided.

Local media reported that nine Indian rhinos died due to the flooding. In total, over 150 animals lost their lives.

This year, since the end of May, more than 80 people have died in this region of India due to heavy rains and landslides. Moreover, over 300,000 had to be evacuated from flooded homes.

India's Meteorological Department reported on Wednesday, 10 July, that heavy rainfall is expected in the country's northern, eastern, and north-eastern parts over the next two to three days, which may worsen the situation even further.

In north-eastern India, floods and mudslides frequently occur during the monsoon season, which lasts from June to September. According to experts in Delhi, climate change, which causes more intense rains and floods, is difficult for the state of Assam, reminds the Associated Press.