Home / Environment / Animals Face Deadly Floods in India; Policy Meets Reality
Animals Face Deadly Floods in India; Policy Meets Reality
9 Sep
Summary
- Tens of thousands of animals died during recent monsoons.
- Floods destroy fodder, leaving animals weak and disease-prone.
- Community-based preparedness is crucial for animal safety.
The monsoon season in India has seen devastating floods, resulting in the deaths of over 20,000 animals across 15 states, with Assam reporting 80% of these losses. Inundated grazing lands and destroyed fodder reserves have left surviving animals weakened and prone to disease, as seen in Maharashtra's Raigad district and Kerala's Kottayam district, where animals stood in water for days.
While India has made strides in recognizing animals within disaster management, including new national guidelines, the challenge now is to translate these policies into effective preparedness. Examples like Sivasagar district in Assam highlight the need for district-level plans that assign responsibilities and arrange for veterinary care and fodder.
However, preparedness must extend beyond documented plans to community-level action. This involves building awareness of warning systems, supporting community-based capacity building, and practicing evacuations that include animals, recognizing their vital role in livelihoods and family bonds.
Effective disaster risk reduction requires identifying safe locations for animals, preparing for extreme events beyond historical experience, and integrating climate action with disaster preparedness. Strengthening animal rescue and response capacity, along with scientifically sound carcass disposal, is also essential.
Ultimately, animal-inclusive disaster response must strengthen existing systems by recognizing the interconnectedness of human and animal resilience. Preparedness becomes operational when communities understand warnings and can act to protect all lives, including the animals they are unwilling to leave behind.
