Assam Floods Kill 75 Amid Claims of Man-Made Disaster

Unprecedented floods that began on July 19, 2026, have devastated several districts in Assam, India, leaving at least 75 people dead and displacing hundreds of thousands. The disaster heavily impacted Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat, where thousands of villages were submerged and livestock and crops suffered significant losses. Other affected areas include Golaghat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Kamrup Metropolitan.

While the Government of Assam initially attributed the floods to a cloudburst in Nagaland, the India Meteorological Department debunked this claim. In response to the crisis, the state government announced 111 crore rupees for immediate relief. However, critics argue the state failed to implement adequate early warning systems.

Opposition leader Akhil Gogoi alleged the catastrophe was man-made. He claimed that illegal coal mining syndicates, allegedly led by ruling BJP ministers, hollowed out hills in Nagaland and destabilized the region. Gogoi further asserted that the unannounced release of water from the Dikhu Hydroelectric Project worsened the flooding. Public figures, including actress Alia Bhatt, have called for urgent support and recovery efforts for the affected populations.