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2020 Assam floods or 2020 Brahmaputra river floods refer to the floods in Brahmaputra River in Indian state of Assam in 2020. The floods also coincided with the worse COVID-19 pandemic in Assam. Initial flooding started in May 2020 due to heavy rainfall affecting 30,000 and destroying crops across 5 districts. Till July, the floods affected around 2 to 3 million in 27 districts and claiming the lives of more than 60 people. More than half of the area of Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary are affected by floods forcing animals to move to other places. According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), more than 3000 villages are affected, 1.28 lakh hectares of agricultural land submerged and 44 thousand people living in relief camps. Barpeta is the worst hit region with more than 5 lakh cases.

Background
Due to its tropical monsoon climate, the state of Assam is prone to annual flooding. While the monsoons are important for the region's economy that relies on agriculture growth, they are now also an annual cause of death and disruption.

many parts of central, north, and northeast India had received 15 centimeters (6 inches) more rainfall than usual by the middle of July. "

Floods
The floods were caused by an excess Summer Monsoon that affected the state of Assam. By 21st of July, the meteorological subdivision of Assam and Meghalaya had received rainfall of 1,164mm as compared to normal rainfall of 894mm during the period, an excess of nearly 30%. The catchment areas of nearby states, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim too received excess rainfall nearly to the tune of 16% and 45% respectively aggravating the flood situation. the state government has set up 621 relief camps for the affected.

The reason for the excess rainfall is attributed to Madden Julian Oscillation staying in the phases 8,1 thereby causing prolonged break-monsoon conditions which decreases the rainfall in North West India and increases it in North East India.