It is disheartening to see many people, including some politicians, blaming Nagaland for the floods in Assam. While such claims may appear convenient, they do not reflect the scientific realities of how floods occur in the Brahmaputra basin.
Flooding in Assam is the result of a complex combination of factors.
These include intense monsoon rainfall across the entire river basin, runoff from multiple upstream states, siltation that reduces river-carrying capacity, embankment breaches, encroachment of natural floodplains, poor drainage, and the increasing impact of climate change.
No single state can be held solely responsible for such a complex natural phenomenon.
There is no denying that rivers originating in Nagaland—such as the Dhansiri, Doyang, Dikhu, Tizu etc.—flow into Assam and may contribute to localized flooding in adjoining districts during periods of exceptionally heavy rainfall.
However, these rivers form only one part of the much larger Brahmaputra river system.
It is equally important to understand that the Brahmaputra receives enormous volumes of water from major rivers originating in Arunachal Pradesh, including the Siang (which becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam), Subansiri, Kameng (Jia Bharali), Dibang, Lohit, Noa-Dihing and Burhi Dihing.
These rivers drain vast Himalayan catchments and carry tremendous monsoon flows into Assam.
In addition, rivers from Bhutan and Meghalaya also contribute significantly to the Brahmaputra basin.
When heavy rainfall occurs simultaneously across Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Bhutan and Assam, the combined discharge from all these rivers converges in the plains of Assam.
Because the Brahmaputra valley is relatively flat, floodwaters spread over large areas, while silt deposition over the years further reduces the rivers’ capacity to carry excess water.
Therefore, it is scientifically inaccurate and unfair to single out Nagaland whenever Assam experiences floods.
Floods in Assam are a basin-wide issue, not a state-specific one. Addressing them requires coordinated watershed management, scientific river planning, improved drainage, better floodplain management and close cooperation among all the states sharing the Brahmaputra basin.
Instead of engaging in political blame games, leaders should promote informed public discourse based on science and work together to find long-term solutions to one of the region’s most persistent challenges.
Toshimongba Ao
Mokokchung Town
Sunday, August 9, 2026