New Delhi, July 27 -- The horrific, ongoing floods in Upper Assam should jolt India awake. Reports point out the challenge began in neighbouring Nagaland, where forests have been denuded, including for mining. The burden is being borne by Assam. The science is elementary: rainwater cannot percolate into the ground unless its flow is slowed down and the ground can "trap it." A healthy forest offers this service entirely for free. Unfortunately, Nagaland's extractive policies are causing water to arrive in greater volume, with greater force. That is why these floods are so much worse. This is how the Dikhow river, flowing from Nagaland to Assam, has savaged districts like Sivasagar. To clarify, there is no doubt about excessive rainfall in bo...