GUWAHATI: While Assam reels under severe floods, WhatsApp has been a respite to some villagers living along the Assam-Bhutan border as they now get flood alerts on the popular messaging app from acquaintances across the border.
Approximately 56 big and small rivers flow into India from Bhutan via Assam and these areas have been prone to flooding almost every year, only with varying intensities. For people living downstream on the Indian side, getting an alert can be life saving as the consequences of these floods are often tragic.
For nearly a month now, a system has been established that issues early flood warnings from the Bhutanese side to those in Assam.
An alert generally cautions vulnerable communities in the area and lets them know of incoming floods.
(Inputs Times of India)
