Flash Floods Hit Assam as Illegal Coal Mining Scrutiny Mounts

Guwahati: Heavy overnight rain triggered flash floods in Ledo, a town in the Tinsukia district of Assam. Runoff swamped residential areas, stalled daily life, and turned a short storm into a disaster. The water rose fast. Residents now fear the region's long-standing coal mining operations and deforestation are to blame for the lack of natural drainage.

Wildlife conservationist Devajit Moran inspected the damage on Sunday. He blamed the environmental decay of the Ledo-Margherita hills for the severity of the flooding. Moran stated, "Today people have been forced to raise their voice. This is only the beginning of the disaster in Ledo."

Critics allege that illegal coal extraction has stripped the hills of their ability to absorb rainfall. This degradation creates a direct threat to local settlements during the wet season. Moran questioned if the Assam government would continue to permit the destruction of the hills after witnessing the force of the floodwaters. The situation has intensified demands for better environmental safeguards and improved drainage systems to protect vulnerable communities.