Assam to see temperatures rise by 2.2 degrees, 38% more extreme rainfall in 30 years

For its geographical proximity to the delta region, Assam has been always extremely vulnerable to climate change. High rainfall and subtropical climate are characteristics of Assam. The flood is an annual phenomenon in the state. The region faces occasional droughts as well. Even as climate change has increased the severity of both floods and droughts, the case of Assam has received less attention so far.

Most of the government’s efforts have been concentrated on rehabilitation rather than dealing with the changed situation. A state action plan reveals that Assam is likely to see an increase in temperature up to 2.2 degrees in the next 30 years while the extreme rainfall occurrence may also see an upturn of 38 per cent. This year, Assam has seen at least three waves of the flood. The first two that occurred in May and June were devastating. The Dima Hasao district received unprecedented landslides at that time.

The pictures of a train at Haflong railway station that was pushed off the railway track due to the impact of mudslides from the nearby hills went viral everywhere. This hilly district had witnessed devastation and all sorts of communication and connectivity to Dima Hasao got snapped for a few days. The restoration of train services on a route that goes through Dima Hasao and connects three northeastern states took more than two months.

The Assam government even had to arrange essentials like petrol and diesel through helicopters. But, here also, all the government agencies were involved only in rebuilding infrastructure than trying to find an answer to that large-scale devastation. On the condition of anonymity, a senior government official accepted that there is a need of shifting focus only from rehabilitation after a natural disaster happens.