Assessment of Climate Change, Rainfall Variability, and Displacement: Insights from Assam, India

Abstract

Assam, a flood-prone state in Northeast India, is increasingly experiencing erratic monsoon patterns and extreme rainfall events intensified by climate change. This study examines the relationship between rainfall variability and climate-induced displacement in Assam using secondary data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS), and existing literature. The findings reveal that altered monsoon patterns, intense rainfall, floods, erosion, and landslides are contributing to infrastructural damage, livelihood insecurity, and recurring displacement across the state. Marginalized communities residing in char areas, riverbanks, and ecologically vulnerable regions are disproportionately affected by these environmental changes. The study further highlights how climate-induced disasters place severe pressure on local infrastructure, relief systems, and human security. By situating Assam within the broader discourse on climate vulnerability and internal displacement, the article argues that climate-induced displacement is not merely an environmental issue but also a developmental, governance, and human-rights challenge. It therefore emphasizes the need for long-term climate-resilient rehabilitation policies and integrated disaster governance frameworks to address growing displacement risks in vulnerable regions.