On 3 October, a major Glacial Lake Outburst Flood occurred from South Lhonak, in Sikkim state in northeastern India, flowing down the Teesta River towards the Teesta III hydroelectric dam in Chungthang (Sikkim). The dam was inundated and collapsed, resulting in the increase in water levels in Teesta River, which resulted in death and destruction downstream.

The political turmoil and violence in Myanmar following the February 2021 military coup have led to a significant influx of refugees from Myanmar seeking safety and shelter in northeastern India. The displaced people from Myanmar include ‘stateless’ Rohingya refugees and Myanmar nationals, mainly from Chin and Sagaing states. 

On 3 May 2023, the Kuki tribal group held an organised protest march in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur against the majority Meitei community being recognised as a Scheduled Tribe. The march resulted in violent clashes with the Meitei non-tribal group. Various sources indicate that an estimated 30,000–45,000 people have been forced to flee. 

Heavy monsoon rains in mid and late August 2022 in Odisha state have led to overflowing rivers and landslides that have affected over 950,000 people in Odisha, and around 170,000 people were temporarily residing in around 440 relief centres. 

On 25 May, a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards and intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm. The storm affected around 10 million people in West Bengal and 1.7 million people in Odisha. Over 2.2 million people were evacuated to relief camps in both states.

Between March–May 2021, above-normal temperatures are expected in most subdivisions in north, northwest, and northeast India. Over 20 million people in Maharashtra State live in densely populated informal constructions. These people are more vulnerable to heatwaves and heat-related illnesses, as the materials used in building construction increase their exposure to heat.

This report aims to describe key factors affecting vulnerability for both internal and international labour migrants and the communities they are returning to in Bangladesh, India and Nepal, in order to support humanitarian and development actors to proactively identify and respond to emerging critical needs. 

A presidential decree on 5 August 2019 revoked Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution, which granted Jammu and Kashmir state special autonomous status. The move stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its political autonomy and was accompanied by a complete lockdown, unprecedented in Kashmir’s history, that began in August 2019 and continued through March 2020. 

Heavy rainfall due to the beginning of the 2019 monsoon season triggered severe flooding in northeast India. Flooding affected Assam state since 8 July but worsened considerably since 12 July, affecting 4.3 million people in 30 of 33 districts. 

On 3 May, Cyclone Fani made landfall near Puri District, bringing heavy rain to Odisha and neighbouring states. Extensive damage has been reported to houses and farmland, as well as to transportation, communication, water, end electricity infrastructure, particularly in Odisha. 

Tropical cyclone Titli made landfall on the south-west coast of Gopalpur in Andhra Pradesh in the early morning of 11 October. Some 360,000 people, particularly from low-lying and coastal areas, were evacuated prior to the cyclone, but only 9,000 were still in relief centres as of 16 October. 

The southwestern state of Kerala has been facing the worst monsoon season since 1924, causing severe flooding and landslides especially in the northern part of the state, where eight districts remain on red alert. As of 14 August, over 60,000 people have been evacuated to some 500 relief camps across the state, and 39 deaths have been reported. 

India’s northeastern state of Assam has been hard-hit by monsoon rains and flooding beginning of July. Flooding worsened in Assam on 2 July, when new areas were submerged by the rising waters of the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries. As of 5 July, official figures show over 390,000 people have been affected in over 850 villages across 15 out of 32 districts.

The northeastern state of Assam has been particularly hard-hit by monsoon rains and flooding this season. Rainfall this year has been 20% above average in some areas of India, including in Assam.

Flooding worsened in Assam on 22 July, when new areas were submerged by the rising waters of the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries. As of 1 August, official figures show over 1.1 million people and over 3,300 villages across 21 out of 32 districts are affected. At least 32 people have died, most since 22 July.

Several days of heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu in southern India has led to flash floods particularly affecting Cuddalore district. As of 14 November, 56 people have been reported killed and at least 29,000 people have been evacuated, the majority from rural areas. The total number of people affected is not known.