Reporters Without Orders Ep 148: The disastrous annual floods of Assam and their aftermath

Not a single year goes by when some part of our country is struck by a natural disaster. This year was no different, with floods, cyclones, droughts, and wildfires. Add to that the Covid-19 pandemic.

In this episode, host Snigdha Sharma is joined by Newslaundry’s Assam correspondent, Supriti David, to discuss the devastating annual floods in Assam caused by the Brahmaputra river. Supriti covered a stretch of over 1000 kms across the banks of the treacherous river to document the aftermath of the floods. She begins by giving some background on the nature and duration of the floods.

On the government’s outlook towards the annual floods, Supriti points out: “What the government and the people affected have in common is that they’ve accepted this for what it is: a natural disaster. They think that because it cannot be prevented, the damage that accompanies it cannot be mitigated, but that’s not true.” Supriti recounts how, among the villages that she visited, none of the residents had a good word to say about the government's response to the annual calamity.

The duo also discuss the consequences of the floods in multiple villages across Assam’s districts. In case of Borphalang village, Supriti describes how it remains submerged and cut off from the rest of the region for half the year.

Supriti’s in-depth ground reports, which are a part of the Newslaundry Sena ‘Disastrous Consequences’ project can be found here.

All this and a lot more as they talk about what made news this week, what didn’t, and what shouldn’t have.

Tune in!

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Produced by Stallan Nayak, edited by Umrav Singh.

Text by Diksha Munjal

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