Swept away 55km by raging river, elephant survives extraordinary flood ordeal in Assam
A 53-year-old domesticated elephant survived a harrowing 55km journey after being swept away by the flooded Dikhow River from Nagaland into Assam. The animal is currently receiving medical care for injuries sustained during the ordeal as regional authorities continue to manage severe flood conditions.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the extreme severity of the current flooding in the Assam-Nagaland border region and serves as a stark indicator of the destructive power of the monsoon season on both wildlife and human settlements.
DIBRUGARH: For nearly 55 km, she was at the mercy of a swollen river that carried her from the hills of Nagaland, through turbulent floodwaters and rocky terrain, and hurled her downstream in the floodplains of Assam.Every kilometre underlined the violence of the floods — churning water, powerful currents and rough terrain that stood between her and survival. But she finally washed ashore at Bihubor in Sivasagar on Thursday, with an injured leg and exhausted. From there, she trekked to Balighat in Simaluguri.This is the extraordinary survival story of a 53-year-old domesticated female elephant that was swept away from Namsang in Nagaland after a cloudburst and days of relentless rainfall caused the Dikhow river to swell dramatically.At present, she is resting under close observation of veterinary personnel.
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