Monsoon Floods Claim 22 Lives in Northeast India

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    In the northeast of India, relentless monsoon rains have led to devastating landslides and flash floods, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 22 lives, as per the reports on Saturday.
    In the city of Guwahati, located in Assam state, disaster struck when a mudslide claimed the lives of five individuals, including three members from one household. Meanwhile, in the neighboring state of Arunachal Pradesh, seven people perished on Friday when flooding swept away their vehicle. Additionally, in a separate incident, two more individuals tragically drowned.
    The torrential rains have also wreaked havoc in the states of Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya over the last 24 hours, causing flooding and mudslides that took the lives of eight people, according to official data.
    In response, Assam’s authorities have taken preventative measures by cutting off electricity in certain areas to mitigate the risk of electrocution, as explained by the state’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma. The heavy downpour has also submerged many parts of Guwahati, Assam’s capital, which led to prolonged power outages on Friday night. Consequently, officials decided to close schools and colleges on Saturday.
    The Indian Meteorological Department has warned of more heavy rains expected in the region in the coming days.
    While the annual monsoon season from June to September provides relief from scorching summer temperatures, it also brings with it significant challenges, particularly in the northeast. This region, deemed highly susceptible to climate change, often suffers extensive damage due to the monsoon rains, which are essential for seasonal crops.
    Experts attribute the increasing unpredictability of monsoons to extreme weather patterns and global warming, triggering more frequent landslides and flash floods, especially in the Himalayan areas of northern India.