The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has rejected claims that cloudbursts triggered recent devastating floods in Upper Assam and Nagaland, pointing instead to infrastructure gaps and environmental degradation.
While areas like Mon in Nagaland (137 mm) and Sonari in Assam (190 mm) recorded heavy rainfall on July 19, the IMD clarified that none met the cloudburst benchmark of 100 mm within an hour. Because such rainfall levels are typical for the region, scientists noted that weather alone cannot explain the deluge.
Experts identified three main drivers behind the severity of the flood:
- Weak Embankments: Poor maintenance, erosion, and structural flaws led to widespread breaches.
- Flawed Road Design: Raised roads and insufficient culverts blocked natural drainage pathways.
- Wetland Degradation: The loss of natural retention basins severely reduced the region's flood absorption capacity.
Source: The Assam Tribune
