It is that time of the year when rains wreak havoc in India’s Northeast (“Flood situation critical in Assam,” July 11). Assam, due to its bowl-shaped topography, suffers the worst impact, partly due to the torrential rains and, most importantly, because of the swelling of the mighty Brahmaputra. Though the cycle gets repeated annually, the Assamese society has developed the fortitude to adapt to such calamitous events. However, over the past few years, owing to the seismic shifts in the macro-climate, there has been a worsening impact. In addition, unplanned development is aggravating the devastating consequences, the impact reaching even areas where floods were hitherto not a recurring phenomenon. It has to be understood that the entire north-eastern region is situated at the epicentre of naturally ordained cataclysms like floods and quakes. Development priorities of the region have evaded this fact of nature. It is thus imperative that policy documents reflect these realities. The State government can persuade the Centre to seek foreign assistance in this regard, preferably from Japan.
Bibhuti Das,
Cachar, Assam