Some die out of ‘flood curiosity’, State Disaster Management Minister says as Assam flood situation remains grim
Assam's State Disaster Management Minister has warned residents against approaching floodwaters, citing 'flood curiosity' as a contributing factor to recent fatalities. With 41 deaths reported since June and nearly 100 people missing, officials are urging citizens to avoid dangerous riverbanks as rescue operations continue.
Why it matters
The report highlights the intersection of extreme weather events and public safety challenges in disaster-prone regions, emphasizing the difficulty of managing humanitarian crises during severe flooding.
Not all flood-related deaths in Assam are due to floodwaters, State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta said, adding that some drown or are washed away because of their “flood curiosity”.
As of Wednesday (July 22, 2026), 41 people lost their lives during the current wave of floods since June, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). At least 31 died in the last 48 hours, mostly in eastern Assam’s Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat districts.
“I have interacted with many victims during my tour of the flood-affected areas. They told me some people never returned after venturing out to satiate their curiosity about floods,” Mr. Mahanta, who represents the Asom Gana Parishad from Kaliabor Assembly constituency, told journalists recently.
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