The sixteenth largest state of India—Assam— is now going through a challenging time due to the global pandemic coronavirus, the yearly trauma flood, and the latest explosion near Oil India Limited. However, no media is ready to bring this dreadful situation of the northeastern state into the limelight.
Assam 2020 Flood
The state is drowning! The heavy rainfall, which began in May 2020, has flooded the Brahmaputra River, which in turn submerged the surrounding districts along with its inhabitants. Barpeta is the worst-hit region with over 5 lakh people suffering. The Central Water Commission keeps track of the rise in Brahmaputra’s level consistently.
The Chief Minister, Sarbanad Sonowal, said that “This is the third wave of flood in Assam. This is a recurring problem in the state. People are fighting several problems. On the one hand, there is COVID-19, and on the other, there are floods and landslides.”
After-effects of Assamese Flood (as of July 23, 2020)
- 89 people are reported dead, with over 26 lakh people affected;
- 27 districts and over 3,000 are affected;
- Lakhs of houses are submerged; with over 44,000 people are currently living in relief camps;
- More than 1.28 lakh hectares of cropland are submerged underwater;
- A sub-divisional civil hospital in Barpeta district is flooded, forcing the patients to be shifted;
- Above 10 lakh, domestic animals have been affected.
Impact on Kaziranga National Park (K.N.P.)
Spread across the floodplains of Brahmaputra river, this famous park is a protected area in Assam. It is known for being home to two-thirds of the world’s total population of the one-horned rhinoceros, along with elephants, tigers, the Ganges River Dolphins, and various migratory birds. This World Heritage Site is swarmed by flood every year during this time of the year.
Latest Statistics
- 116 animals (including 11 Rhinos) died;
- Over 90 per cent of the land and forest areas are flooded by rainwater.
The death toll of the animals is not a surprise, as many Rhinos and other animals die annually due to the flood in this park.
‘Sleepy’ Rhino
On July 18, K.N.P. had shared a heart-melting video of a Rhino sleeping on a National Highway in the flood-hot state. The 35-year-old Rhino, made the National Highway it’s home for 72 hours before giving vet support. It is partially blind and was not mentally prepared to return to the park because of the high water level. However, it did not stray out the park’s area. The officials instructed the vehicles to drive slowly in that area
On July 19, the K.N.P. and Tiger Reserve announced that the Rhino was keeping well and was moved into the park’s territory.
He (Rhino who strayed out) has moved into the Park Territory. He is regaining his strength. Team @kaziranga_ is giving him his natural food. We along with @nagaonpolice are guarding the area for his safety.
Thank you everyone for the support.@CMOfficeAssam @ParimalSuklaba1 pic.twitter.com/9xeCRMdVDf— Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve (@kaziranga_) July 19, 2020
Explosion near Oil India Limited (O.I.L.) Well
An official statement from O.I.L. on Wednesday, had stated that, “Today in the afternoon, three experts from M/s. Alert namely Anthony Steven Reynolds, Doug Dallas, and Craig Neil Duncan, suffered minor burn injuries while removing the spool from the wellhead. The three experts were provided immediate medical attention by a doctor at the well site, and later on, they were taken to burn unit section of Astha Nursing Home at Dibrugarh. They have been released after dressing of the burn injuries. It is expected that operations will resume at Baghjabn tomorrow.”
M/s. Alert Disaster Control is a Singapore-based firm. The above mentioned well has been spewing gas since May 28, 2020.
The team could successfully complete more than 70% of retrieval job of 7 1/16” tubing spool yesterday and for the remaining work had commenced since today morning. The 3 experts from Alert suffered minor burn injuries during removal of the spool. pic.twitter.com/XlEDXoYNkT
— Oil India Limited (@OilIndiaLimited) July 22, 2020
Update on blowout in Gas Well of Oil India Limited at Baghjan, Tinsukia District, Assam (22.07.2020). pic.twitter.com/Y8YxDBS6ls
— Oil India Limited (@OilIndiaLimited) July 22, 2020
Effect of coronavirus on Assam
As of today, the state’s official website, recorded 27,744 virus confirmed cases with 66 deaths, and 19,350 recovery cases. It is an indication that the state is doing well in terms of containment and prevention strategies.
📌 Discharge Alert
1️⃣3️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ patients have been discharged today, one of the rare days when recovered number is higher than new cases.
Our recovery rate continues to give us hope.
😊Total Discharged Patients:19350
😑Active Patients: 832511: 30 PM/July 22#AssamCovidCount pic.twitter.com/On9e0jmyq3
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 22, 2020
Assam has so far tested nearly 7 lakh swab samples. The Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, held video conferences with the doctors of all medical colleges and district hospitals, wherein he said: “Our very impressive #COVID19 recovery demonstrates the resolve and dedication of our healthcare staff.” He also added their response had been sterling.
Response from public
The public is outraged by the media’s lack of attention to the pleas of the affected people.
Flood fury continues. Death toll in Assam rose to 87. 24,19,185 people have been affected in 24 districts. Govt has set up 276 relief camps and 192 relief distribution centres. Total crop area affected till date is 1,10,323.54 hectares.#AssamFloods pic.twitter.com/t4XHlD6Otc
— Nandan Pratim Sharma Bordoloi (@NANDANPRATIM) July 22, 2020
My State Assam is now facing a devastating flood. 70+ human lives lost ,33 lakh ppl affected.We need your help.I am requesting you guys to donate generously to help the Flood affected people.
Details in the below tweet👇#AssamFloods
Kindly RT & Donate. 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/RrfayH2hg8— মানস (@JajaborManas) July 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/Muziris/status/1284678808801439750
Recognized celebrities have also raised their voice in bringing awareness about the current situation in Assam.
My thoughts & prayers with all those families affected by the Assam & Bihar floods. Over 68 lives lost & 3.6 million people affected in Assam alone.
I appeal to all Indians, to come together, join in the efforts to help support those affected in these extreme flood situations.— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) July 18, 2020
A section of 'media' should not forget to cover #AssamFloods!
Misplaced priorities.
— Pranav Mahajan (@pranavmahajan) July 17, 2020
Our prayers and thoughts are with Assam, Bihar and all the flood affected regions. Coupled with the ongoing pandemic, these are devastating times. Let's all join together & help out in every small way possible.
Helpline: 011-1078 #AssamFloods #BiharFloods pic.twitter.com/BG4E2PlVxZ
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) July 17, 2020
Assistance to Assam
Stephanie Dujarric, the Spokesperson for the United Nations’ (U.N.) Secretary-General, recently stated that the organization is ready to lend a helping hand to the ailing state if required. The Indian Central Government has agreed to provide Rs 346 crores in the first phase, under the Flood Management Programme (F.M.P.) Scheme.
Moreover, the Government decided to sort things out with Bhutan, to solve the recurring flood problem in the lower parts of the state. These decisions were taken up in a meeting between the Assamese Chief Minister, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, and the Union Minister, Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat via video conferencing.
Center will soon release ₹ 346 crore for the first phase under FMP scheme to Assam and hold talk with Bhutan to solve the flood problem in Lower Assam.
This was informed in a meeting of CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal with Union Minister Shri @gssjodhpur via VC in Guwahati. pic.twitter.com/pdaKClGWYO
— Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) July 22, 2020
Several petitions are also being brought up by the ordinary people to raise funds. Both people and animals are trying to ‘keep their heads above water’ to stay alive.
Indian citizens have taken it up to various social media platforms to lash out that the media has no time to cover what is happening in Assam. This state already struck with quite several adversities at the same time, can’t handle any more torment than the existing ones. This very fact is not given much importance by the media, which indeed attracts empathy upon the drowning state.
