Extreme weather events refer to unusually severe weather conditions that fall outside the normal patterns and include occurrences such as floods, droughts, cyclones, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall. These events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, as highlighted by reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Assam, a flood-prone state, has witnessed several such extreme weather events in recent years, causing significant socio-economic and environmental damage.

Extreme Weather Events in Assam:

A. Intense Flooding (2020, 2022):

• Assam’s Brahmaputra River and its tributaries cause recurrent seasonal floods, but their intensity has increased recently due to erratic monsoon patterns and glacial melt in the Himalayas. In 2022, more than 33 districts of Assam were affected by severe floods, displacing over 7.2 million people and causing widespread destruction to infrastructure and agriculture.
• Contemporary data shows that the frequency of such floods has increased, with climate models predicting more intense rainfall events in the future. The IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report noted that such changes in rainfall patterns are linked to global climate change.

B. Landslides (2020, 2022):

• The combination of heavy rainfall and fragile topography has led to more frequent and severe landslides in Assam’s hilly areas, particularly in regions like Dima Hasao and Barak Valley. The landslides in June 2022, triggered by extreme rainfall, killed over 20 people and cut off major transportation routes, isolating several villages.
• Such events demonstrate how extreme weather impacts not just immediate landscapes but also longer-term infrastructure and connectivity. The UNFCCC warns that landslides in areas like Assam will only become more common with increasing rainfall variability.

C. Flash Floods in Urban Areas:

• Guwahati, Assam’s largest city, has witnessed urban flooding in recent years due to unplanned urbanization and extreme rainfall events. Flash floods in July 2020 inundated many parts of the city, disrupting daily life and causing property damage. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) attributed the urban flooding to increased precipitation intensity and poor drainage systems.
• This urban flooding phenomenon, noted in the IPCC report, points to an urgent need for improved urban planning and infrastructure, especially as climate change drives more unpredictable and intense rainfall.

D. Heatwaves and Changing Temperature Patterns:

• While Assam is primarily known for floods, there have been recent incidents of unseasonal heatwaves and rising temperatures. For instance, parts of the state experienced higher-than-normal temperatures during the pre-monsoon season in 2021, affecting agriculture and increasing the likelihood of drought conditions in some areas.
• This is in line with the Prime Minister’s 10-Point Agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction, which emphasizes the need to address temperature extremes as part of the broader climate risk mitigation strategy.

Impacts of Extreme Weather Events in Assam:

A. Agricultural Loss:

Assam’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture, and frequent floods and droughts severely damage crops like rice, tea, and mustard. In 2022, Assam suffered an agricultural loss of over ₹3000 crores due to floods. This undermines food security and affects the livelihoods of thousands of farmers, deepening rural poverty.

B. Displacement and Livelihood Loss:

Extreme floods and landslides in Assam frequently lead to large-scale displacement of people. The UNHCR notes that climate-induced displacement is an increasing trend globally, and Assam’s flood-affected population faces not only immediate displacement but also long-term resettlement challenges, with many losing homes, land, and livelihoods.

C. Environmental Degradation:

Recurrent extreme weather events cause significant soil erosion and damage to Assam’s ecosystems. The Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is heavily impacted by floods every year, threatening wildlife like rhinos and causing loss of biodiversity.

D. Health Risks:

Flooding leads to the outbreak of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and malaria in Assam. In 2022, after the floods, there was a spike in cases of such diseases due to contaminated water sources, highlighting the public health challenges associated with extreme weather events.

Extreme weather events in Assam, including severe flooding, landslides, and urban flash floods, have become more frequent and intense, exacerbated by climate change. These events not only disrupt the socio-economic fabric of the region but also pose long-term challenges related to environmental degradation, displacement, and public health. As noted in the IPCC and UNFCCC reports, there is an urgent need to implement disaster resilience measures, improved urban planning, and climate-adaptive agricultural practices to mitigate the growing risks posed by such extreme events.

Check out  UPSC Coaching Centre Guwahati | APSC Coaching Centre Guwahati | Crack APSC Exam | UPSC Civil Services Exam | Ethics Paper in UPSC Exams