Disasters & Incidents
India monsoon floods, landslides kill over 100, officials say
Floods and landslides triggered by monsoon rains have killed more than 100 people across India since July, officials said Wednesday, with thousands forced to flee inundated homes.
Assam is among the hardest-hit states. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said at least 87 people had been killed in the northeastern state. In Sivasagar, the worst-affected district, some 47 people have been killed and several areas remain under water.
State authorities in Assam appealed for public donations to support relief and rehabilitation. Sarma said on X that material losses could be restored, but that no compensation could replace a loved one.
In Kerala, Chief Minister VD Satheesan said at least 15 people had been killed and another seven were missing after heavy rains over several days. More than 300 relief camps have been set up in the southern state, sheltering more than 10,000 people, after rains triggered landslides and swollen rivers breached their banks.
In the Himalayan territory of Jammu and Kashmir, at least 31 people have been killed in several short bursts of extremely intense rainfall, according to a report by the public state broadcaster.
Monsoon-related disasters happen each year across India after the region's long summers, when many areas face water scarcity and drought. Scientists say climate change is making the monsoon more erratic, unpredictable and deadly across South Asia.
Neighbouring Sri Lanka has also seen unusually heavy monsoon rains that caused flash floods and mudslides, killing at least eight people since Monday, according to the Disaster Management Centre. Some 12,000 people have been driven out of flooded homes in the central region.
At the same time, Sri Lanka's eastern regions were in severe drought, with authorities transporting drinking water to residents in tanker trucks. The government last month said the severe weather events were due to this year's El Nino weather phenomenon and set up a ministerial task force to mitigate its impact.
Update
Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre said flash floods and mudslides have killed at least eight people since Monday.
Some 12,000 people have been driven out of flooded homes in Sri Lanka's central region.
Sri Lanka's eastern regions were also in severe drought, with authorities transporting drinking water by tanker truck.
Sri Lanka's government said last month the severe weather events were due to this year's El Nino phenomenon and set up a ministerial task force to mitigate its impact.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 August 2026 at 06:53:33 UTC.
Update
In Assam's Sivasagar district, about 47 people have been killed and several areas remain under water.
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan said at least 15 people had been killed and seven were missing after heavy rains over several days.
More than 300 relief camps have been set up in Kerala, sheltering more than 10,000 people.
A public state broadcaster report said at least 31 people had been killed in Jammu and Kashmir.
Assam authorities appealed for public donations to support relief and rehabilitation.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 August 2026 at 06:15:04 UTC.
Update
Thousands of people have been forced to flee because of the floods and landslides.
Assam is among the hardest-hit states.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said at least 87 people had been killed in the state.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 August 2026 at 05:55:55 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The figures for Assam, Kerala and Jammu and Kashmir are separately attributed and should not be added without a supported national total beyond the stated more than 100 deaths across India.
Sri Lanka's government has not yet estimated the potential economic loss from the effects of El Nino.
Source
AFP news report published on .