How a 97-year-old escaped deadly Indian floods on a banana raft
A 97-year-old bedridden woman was carried to safety on a makeshift raft of banana trunks after floods swept through her village in Assam, north-east India, in the early hours of 19 July. Bornali Baruah and her husband, unable to find a boat or rescue team, floated Lokada Duarah on the raft and waded through fast-flowing floodwater to reach a shelter, illustrating the desperate, improvised measures many villagers resorted to during the disaster.
The floods, among the worst to hit Charing village in living memory, have killed 100 people and affected around 1.2 million residents across 25 districts, damaging more than 19,000 homes and forcing over 75,000 people into 252 relief camps. Baruah, a former journalist turned award-winning livestock farmer, lost most of her animals, including hundreds of ducks and chickens, along with equipment, vehicles and possessions, with no insurance available to cover the losses.
In short
- Elderly Assam woman rescued via banana-trunk raft amid deadly floods
- Floods have killed 100 and affected 1.2 million people
- Rescuer lost her farm and livelihood, uninsured, in the disaster
Explained simply
Assam is a state in north-east India where seasonal monsoon rains can cause rivers to overflow and flood villages. Charing, where this flood struck, is among the communities affected.
Floodwater can cut off roads and make it difficult for people to reach boats or organised rescue teams. Residents may have to rely on neighbours and whatever materials they can find to reach higher ground or a relief shelter.
The floods have affected homes, livelihoods and access to safe shelter across Assam. Many residents depend on farming and livestock, so losing animals and equipment can also mean losing a source of income.