Devastating earthquake struck Assam on August 15, 1950, while India celebrated its Independence Day.
The earthquake had an epicenter in Rima, Tibet, and caused widespread destruction in Assam and frontier regions.
The Brahmaputra River flowed backward, and massive timber logs and animals from Arunachal floated in the river.
The United States Geological Survey estimated around 1,530 casualties and 2,000 homes destroyed, but locals believe the actual death toll exceeded 4,000.
Landslides altered the geography and river system, resulting in changes to the river pattern and increased flooding intensity.
Soil erosion became a persistent problem after the earthquake, contributing to annual floods and displacement of thousands of people.
The erosion caused extensive damage to river banks, resulting in the loss of over 4.27 lakh hectares of land since 1950.
The flood and erosion issues have led to environmental migration, particularly affecting marginalized Muslim communities.
The government's rehabilitation efforts have been inadequate, leading to the rise of a migratory community of internally displaced people.
Long-term effects of the 1950 Assam Earthquake include ongoing erosion, land loss, and the widening of the Brahmaputra River, leading to recurring floods and displacement of communities.