Doomdooma: A few hours of heavy rain overnight triggered flooding in parts of Ledo in Assam’s Tinsukia district, disrupting normal life and renewing concerns over the environmental vulnerability of the coal-bearing Ledo-Margherita region.
Water gushed through parts of Ledo following the rainfall, causing waterlogging and rapidly accumulating runoff in several areas.
The flooding has brought renewed attention to settlements around the coal-bearing hills, where environmental concerns have been raised over coal mining, deforestation and changes to natural drainage patterns.
Wildlife conservationist Devajit Moran, reacting to the situation on Sunday, said the flooding showed the impact of the region’s environmental degradation.
“Today people have been forced to raise their voice. This is only the beginning of the disaster in Ledo.” he said.
Moran alleged that illegal coal mining had increased the area’s vulnerability to flooding.
“See what has happened in Ledo after just a spell of rain because of illegal coal mining. Look at the speed and force of the water. Seeing all this, will the Assam government still allow the hills of Ledo-Margherita to continue being destroyed?” he questioned.
The latest flooding has renewed scrutiny of the ecological impact of coal extraction in the Ledo-Margherita belt, where mining and deforestation have long been subjects of environmental concern.
For residents, the immediate concern is the recurring risk posed by heavy rainfall and rapidly accumulating water.
The incident has also raised questions about the adequacy of drainage systems and environmental safeguards in protecting communities in the region.