Now Reading: Assam floods: State and Centre failed to prevent disaster
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Assam floods: State and Centre failed to prevent disaster
National Herald India reports that the Assam floods were a preventable catastrophe driven by administrative negligence, illegal sand and stone mining, and disregard for scientific warnings. Despite a 2019 Gauhati High Court…
The Story in Brief
National Herald India reports that the Assam floods were a preventable catastrophe driven by administrative negligence, illegal sand and stone mining, and disregard for scientific warnings. Despite a 2019 Gauhati High Court order for a specialised task force and 2022 technical reports highlighting imminent dangers, the state government failed to act and the Centre did not intervene. Heavy rainfall over upstream catchments in Nagaland caused rivers to swell, but the government's apathy turned rain into disaster. The piece argues that India needs a comprehensive River Health Policy and integrated river basin authorities for all major inter-state rivers.
The Indian Opinion
Political finger-pointing between Assam and Nagaland or between the state and Centre distracts from a basic truth: rivers do not respect borders. The call for an integrated river basin authority is sensible, but it will remain a talking point unless voters demand action. The real test is whether the Gauhati High Court's 2019 mandate for a task force finally gets implemented, and whether officers who ignored warnings face any consequence.
Source: nationalheraldindia.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
