GUWAHATI, India — More than 100 people have died in severe flooding in Assam this year, marking the worst inundation in the northeastern Indian state in approximately six decades, according to officials. The floods, which began in July amid heavy monsoon rains, have displaced over 700,000 people, submerged agricultural land, and caused significant damage to infrastructure.

The flooding intensified rapidly in some areas, often with little or no warning. One local resident, Rojo Neog, drowned after being swept away by unexpectedly swift currents in the Dikhow River on July 19. His niece, Priyakshi Gogoi, described how floodwaters near their village of Hulang Katoni surged from knee-deep to neck-deep in roughly 30 minutes without any prior alert.

Such flash flooding underscores the challenges Assam faces in managing its flood risks. The state is one of India’s most vulnerable to flood events, with about 40% of its territory prone to river inundation, particularly from the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries. Each year during the monsoon season from June to September, heavy rains contribute to frequent flooding in the region, but experts say the magnitude and unpredictability of recent events are growing due to several factors.

Environmental and climate specialists point to increasingly intense monsoon rains linked to global warming, combined with local issues such as deforestation upstream, sand mining, loss of wetlands, and urban development. The reliance on embankments for flood control has also been criticized for exacerbating the problem, as these structures may fail or lead to greater water levels when breached.

Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, emphasized the need for improved flood risk assessment and early warning systems in Assam and surrounding states. He said that while India has made strides in rescue and relief operations, it has been less effective in implementing preventive measures to reduce the impact of such disasters.

“Better scientific mapping and restoration of natural flood-absorbing landscapes like forests and wetlands are essential to mitigating future flood damage,” Thakkar said.

The human toll includes personal tragedies such as the death of Krishna Karamkar, who drowned while attempting to rescue his son after the boy fell into the swollen Dikhow River.

As floodwaters gradually recede, many residents have begun returning to their homes, but thousands remain in relief camps awaiting restoration of normal conditions. The disaster has highlighted the urgent need for enhanced preparedness and adaptation strategies in the face of growing climate-related risks in Assam and beyond.