Source: DH
Context: Over 5.15 lakh people have been affected by severe flooding across 22 districts of Assam, with the death toll in the Northeast rising to 38.
About Assam:
- Located in: Assam is located in northeastern India, forming part of the Seven Sister States.
- Capital: Dispur (a suburb of Guwahati)
- Boundaries: Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, West Bengal, and Bangladesh
- Causes of Flooding in Assam:
- Monsoon Rainfall: Assam receives among the highest rainfall in India, especially during the southwest monsoon (June–September).
- Brahmaputra River System: The Brahmaputra and its tributaries (Kopili, Dhansiri, Barak, Kushiyara) frequently overflow, breaching embankments.
- Topography and Soil Composition: Flat alluvial plains with poor drainage; earthquake-induced landslides block natural water flow.
- Key Geographical Features of Assam
- Rivers:
- Brahmaputra River: Enters Assam near Sadiya and flows westward for 725 km before entering Bangladesh.
- Barak River: Dominates southern Assam, especially in the Barak Valley (e.g., Cachar, Hailakandi).
- Tributaries: Dhansiri, Kopili, Kushiyara, Katakhal—many of which are above danger level during monsoons.
- Valleys:
- Brahmaputra Valley: Broad alluvial plain bordered by hills; prone to seasonal floods.
- Barak Valley: Narrower and agriculturally rich; faces floods due to overflow and embankment failures.
- Mountain and Hill Regions:
- North Cachar Hills (Dima Hasao district): Part of the ancient Meghalaya Plateau and hilly terrain with elevations up to 1,000 meters.
- Rengma Hills & Chenghehishon Peak: Mark the highlands between central Assam and Nagaland.
- Rivers:
