How a 97-year-old escaped deadly Indian floods on a banana log raft
A Banana Log Journey: How One Family Survived Assam's Historic Floods
Ninoda.com – When the waters began rising in Charing village, Bornali Baruah had no idea she would soon be navigating flood currents on a makeshift raft. It was past midnight on July 19, and the situation demanded immediate action. Her husband and she were attempting to protect his elderly mother, Lokada Duarah, who was 97 years old and nearly confined to bed. Unable to walk, the matriarch needed assistance. With no boats nearby, rescue teams absent, and neighbors unavailable, the couple improvised. They placed their mother on a raft constructed from banana trunks and began the arduous trek through churning waters.
"Everyone was trying to save themselves," Baruah recalls of that chaotic night.
After approximately one hour of careful navigation, the trio arrived at a shelter camp situated along a national highway. The distance from their home in Charing village, located within Sivasagar district—one of the regions hardest hit by the deluge—was considerable. Water levels ranged between three and four feet deep, with currents powerful enough to require the family to hold hands and use wooden sticks for balance as they moved steadily forward. By this time, Baruah's residence was vanishing beneath the rising tide. Eventually, water would penetrate to a depth of roughly five feet inside the structure.
Widespread Devastation Across Assam
The dramatic scene in Charing represented only a fraction of a much larger catastrophe unfolding throughout Assam. Updated statistics indicate that flood-related deaths have reached 100, with 456 villages across 10 districts experiencing significant impact. Approximately 140,000 individuals have been directly affected, prompting the establishment of 52 relief camps. On a broader scale, nearly 1.2 million people spanning 25 districts have felt the flood's effects. More than 19,000 homes sustained damage, while over 75,000 people sought refuge in 252 temporary shelters.
Upper Assam has endured particularly harsh conditions. Communities like Charing, which typically escape flooding, found themselves completely submerged. For Baruah, now 40 years old, the experience carried special weight. "This is the first flood we have experienced in this area in our lifetime," she explains. Having resided in Charing since birth, with generations of her family preceding her, she remembers only one major flood event—occurring in 1950, decades before her arrival.
A Life Built on the Land
Baruah's property occupies a landscape intersected by multiple waterways, though none flows directly adjacent to her residence. The single-story dwelling contains eight rooms and sits approximately 25 kilometers from Sivasagar town. Several rivers surround the area: the Brahmaputra lies roughly 20 kilometers away, the Dikhow extends 12 kilometers, the Jhanji reaches 10 kilometers, and the Mitong flows just 5 kilometers distant.
Before becoming a farmer, Baruah pursued journalism professionally. In 2016, she transitioned to animal husbandry, and by 2019, she received recognition as Assam's 'Best Livestock Farmer.' Her agricultural operation expanded considerably, housing approximately 300 goats, 500 ducks, 1,000 chickens, and various fish. The flood devastated much of her livelihood. She reported losing the majority of her goats, 300 ducks, 300 chickens, a substantial quantity of fish, and her animal feed processing machine. Additional losses included furniture, laptops, vehicles, and an extensive book collection. Compounding the tragedy, none of her livestock carried insurance coverage. "There is no insurance system here for livestock, especially goats," she notes.
Days of Uncertainty and Community Support
The crisis began unfolding on July 17 when the Jhanji river started swelling. Within two days, both the Dikhow and Mitong rivers overflowed their banks as the Brahmaputra and its tributaries expanded rapidly. According to Baruah, multiple rivers breached their embankments, driving forceful currents through local settlements. Approximately 24 hours after water levels began climbing, she and her family departed their home. Interior water had already reached four feet. They remained in a relief camp for ten days total.
During five consecutive days in the camp, electricity and mobile connectivity remained unavailable, preventing Baruah from charging her phone. Government assistance included a relief package containing rice, lentils, and cooking oil. Beyond official aid, local residents offered invaluable support. A young woman Baruah had never encountered previously assisted with food preparation, cleaning duties, and caring for 60 goats that survived the inundation. Another volunteer managed medical treatment and feeding for animals that became ill during the disaster.
Despite Charing's history of remaining flood-free, the waters eventually reached Baruah's doorstep. The event threatened not only her residence but also the agricultural enterprise she had cultivated over several years. As the community works toward recovery, the memory of that midnight journey on a banana log raft remains etched in local consciousness—a testament to resilience in the face of nature's fury.
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