GUWAHATI, July 26 -- A resident of Sonari, the headquarters of Assam's Charaideo district, and family members including aged parents had barely finished dinner on July 18 when flood waters rushed inside their ground-floor home. It rains heavily in the district but a flooded home was a first for the family.

The water level kept rising, forcing the family to vacate and shift to the first floor which was rented out to another family. They managed to take some important belongings but left behind most heavy household items including furniture and home appliances.

"The waters, which rose to the over five feet, slowly subsided by Tuesday evening. But nearly 50% of the things inside including beds, mattresses, refrigerator were damaged," said ...