Flooding Leaves Death and Destruction in India

July 05, 2012; 4:03 PM
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In this Sunday, July 1, 2012, photo, an Indian Air Force helicopter distributes relief materials at a flood hit area in Sonitpur, India. (AP Photo)

The worst flooding in recent years has left at least 95 people dead across northern India, particularly in the state of Assam.

Recent monsoonal rainfall forced the Brahmaputra river over its banks, affecting more than 2,000 villages. The Prime Minister of India stated, "The people of Assam are facing one of the worst floods in recent times."

The widespread flooding has destroyed thousands of homes, forcing over 2 million people to evacuate the region. Eyewitnesses reported many of the deaths occurred when people were swept away by flood waters; however, 16 deaths occurred when heavy rains led to a mudslide. Many other people remain unaccounted for possibly leading to a higher death toll.

Although rain continues to fall in the region, flood waters have begun to recede slowly, allowing some of the displaced to return to their homes.

Helicopters have been used to deliver supplies to the people displaced by the flooding as many roadways remain submerged.

Elsewhere in India, the monsoon rains remain quite heavy, especially near the west coast. The city of Ratnagiri received over a foot of rain since Sunday.

Heavy thunderstorms in recent days have also lead landslides across the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand, in far northern India. One woman was buried alive by a landslide while at least 15 others were injured. Another landslide flattened a tourist camp. Rescue efforts are ongoing across the region.

Locally heavy rainfall will be possible near the west coast of India for the rest of the week, while the heaviest rain in Assam will be across the north where more flooding problems will be possible.

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