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Country analysis

India


India is highly vulnerable to natural hazards (floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, forest fires), with 27 of its 36 states and union territories facing recurrent hazards.

Around 80% of rainfall occurs during the southwest monsoon season (June–September). In 2024, this season brought heavy rains and caused extensive flooding, including flash floods, and landslides in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tripura, which faced severe rainfall from August–September. At least 77,000 people need humanitarian assistance in Tripura, and the heavy rains damaged 360,000 hectares of cropland in all three states. In general, the floods extensively damaged road, power, and telecommunications infrastructure. There is not enough information on needs in other states.

India also experiences armed conflict and violence, such as in Jammu and Kashmir union territory. In August 2019, the Indian Government revoked Articles 370 and 35A, which had granted Jammu and Kashmir special autonomous status. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019 downgraded the region from state to union territory, officially placing it entirely under the jurisdiction of the central Government. There is inadequate information regarding the humanitarian situation in Indian-administered Kashmir. Human rights violations by both armed groups and Indian security forces are common.

(NIDM accessed 01/10/2024, Sphere India 06/09/2024, Sphere India 09/09/2024, HLR 10/05/2021, HRW 31/07/2024)

India is highly vulnerable to natural hazards (floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, forest fires), with 27 of its 36 states and union territories facing recurrent hazards.

Around 80% of rainfall occurs during the southwest monsoon season (June–September). In 2024, this season brought heavy rains and caused extensive flooding, including flash floods, and landslides in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tripura, which faced severe rainfall from August–September. At least 77,000 people need humanitarian assistance in Tripura, and the heavy rains damaged 360,000 hectares of cropland in all three states. In general, the floods extensively damaged road, power, and telecommunications infrastructure. There is not enough information on needs in other states.

India also experiences armed conflict and violence, such as in Jammu and Kashmir union territory. In August 2019, the Indian Government revoked Articles 370 and 35A, which had granted Jammu and Kashmir special autonomous status. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019 downgraded the region from state to union territory, officially placing it entirely under the jurisdiction of the central Government. There is inadequate information regarding the humanitarian situation in Indian-administered Kashmir. Human rights violations by both armed groups and Indian security forces are common.

(NIDM accessed 01/10/2024, Sphere India 06/09/2024, Sphere India 09/09/2024, HLR 10/05/2021, HRW 31/07/2024)

Latest updates on country situation

01 October 2024

Since June 2024, India has been dealing with severe flooding in several states, killing over 160 people and causing significant damage and displacement. Heavy rains from the southwest monsoon have caused rivers to overflow, led to landslides, submerged villages, and disrupted transportation, telecommunications, and the electricity and water supply. The hardest-hit states are Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Telangana, and Tripura; Tripura and Telangana report 53,195 and 9,608 damaged or destroyed houses, respectively. By early September, around 77,000 people required humanitarian assistance in Tripura alone, and over 80,000 people were displaced in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tripura. Flooding and landslides have also washed away 160,000 hectares of agricultural land in Tripura. Updated needs assessments are scarce. The people affected are scattered and will likely increase as states continue to experience flooding from monsoon rainfall. From 29–30 September, nearly 178,000 people were displaced, and over 639,000 people were affected in Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Sikkim. The most urgent needs likely include food, shelter, drinking water, and protection. (ECHO 01/10/2024, MHA 01/10/2024, Sphere India 06/09/2024)

current crises
in India


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

IND006 - 2024 Monsoon Floods

Last updated 26/11/2024


Drivers

Floods

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.2 Medium

Access constraints

2.0

Analysis products
on India

Global increase of cholera: aggravated by vaccine shortage and El Niño

28 May 2024

Global increase of cholera: aggravated by vaccine shortage and El Niño

DOCUMENT / PDF / 341 KB

This report highlights the key contributing factors and aggravating conditions that can increase the global prevalence of cholera, focusing particularly on the impact of the global OCV shortage that is heightening humanitarian needs among affected populations and those vulnerable to spread. 

AudioHealthNatural hazards

Attached resources

India: floods in Sikkim state

12 October 2023

India: floods in Sikkim state

DOCUMENT / PDF / 256 KB

On 3 October, a major Glacial Lake Outburst Flood occurred from South Lhonak, in Sikkim state in northeastern India, flowing down the Teesta River towards the Teesta III hydroelectric dam in Chungthang (Sikkim). The dam was inundated and collapsed, resulting in the increase in water levels in Teesta River, which resulted in death and destruction downstream.

Natural hazards
India: Myanmar refugees

28 July 2023

India: Myanmar refugees

DOCUMENT / PDF / 859 KB

The political turmoil and violence in Myanmar following the February 2021 military coup have led to a significant influx of refugees from Myanmar seeking safety and shelter in northeastern India. The displaced people from Myanmar include ‘stateless’ Rohingya refugees and Myanmar nationals, mainly from Chin and Sagaing states. 

Mixed migration
India: conflict in Manipur state

18 May 2023

India: conflict in Manipur state

DOCUMENT / PDF / 376 KB

On 3 May 2023, the Kuki tribal group held an organised protest march in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur against the majority Meitei community being recognised as a Scheduled Tribe. The march resulted in violent clashes with the Meitei non-tribal group. Various sources indicate that an estimated 30,000–45,000 people have been forced to flee. 

Conflict and violence

Attached resources

India: floods in Odisha state

31 August 2022

India: floods in Odisha state

DOCUMENT / PDF / 472 KB

Heavy monsoon rains in mid and late August 2022 in Odisha state have led to overflowing rivers and landslides that have affected over 950,000 people in Odisha, and around 170,000 people were temporarily residing in around 440 relief centres. 

Natural hazards
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