Assam Floods Cause 95 Deaths as YouTuber Raises Rs 70 Lakh for Relief

At least 95 people have died in flood related incidents in Assam since the third week of July. The flooding has affected 1.6 lakh persons across 14 districts, with more than 560 villages impacted. According to the state disaster management authority, river embankments were breached in Biswanath and Darrang districts, and the Dhansiri river has been flowing above the danger level. Over 12,300 people have been moved to relief camps, while 32,000 others are relying on relief distribution centres. Additionally, several houses were damaged and more than 8,500 animals were washed away.

Amidst the crisis, YouTuber Nischay Malhan, known as Triggered Insaan, raised Rs 70 lakh for flood victims through a 50 hour no sleep livestream. The fundraiser, which began on July 31, garnered over 15.9 million views and peaked at 1.15 lakh concurrent viewers. The total funds included over Rs 54 lakh from viewers and Rs 16 lakh from the Malhan family. Nischay donated Rs 10 lakh, his brother Abhishek Malhan contributed Rs 5 lakh, Prerna Malhan gave Rs 1 lakh, and Ruchika Rathore donated Rs 50,000. The funds are being channeled through Bondhu, an organisation working on relief efforts in the region. Other creators, including CarryMinati, have also hosted charity streams for the cause.

Coverage of the event varied by political lean. A center leaning outlet focused on the philanthropic efforts of the creator community and the positive social impact of the fundraiser. In contrast, a left leaning outlet focused on the humanitarian toll of the disaster, emphasizing death tolls, displaced populations, and meteorological warnings.