Chief Minister Reviews Erosion and Flood Damage in Dibrugarh

Assessment of Riverbank Erosion in Dibrugarh

Guwahati, Aug 2: As Upper Assam continues to deal with the repercussions of a severe flood season, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Dibrugarh to evaluate the damage and the ongoing riverbank erosion that threatens extensive areas of the district.

While Dibrugarh managed to avoid the worst impacts of the recent floods that heavily affected Sivasagar and Charaideo, the persistent erosion along the Brahmaputra and its tributaries is still causing significant land loss, infrastructure damage, and jeopardizing local livelihoods.

During his visit to the Chabua constituency, Sarma inspected areas prone to erosion, including Balijan, Pukhurijan, Dinjan, and Rahmoria, where protective measures are currently being implemented.

“I reviewed the riverbank erosion situation in the Chabua constituency, especially in Balijan, Pukhurijan, Dinjan, and Rahmoria. The Water Resources Department has undertaken work in some areas, but unless the work is fully completed, losses will persist,” he stated.

Stressing the importance of a long-term approach, the Chief Minister announced plans to collaborate with experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to develop sustainable solutions for controlling erosion and safeguarding vulnerable riverbanks.

“I will convene a meeting with IIT experts and professors in Guwahati to formulate a long-term strategy for addressing Brahmaputra erosion and protecting at-risk areas,” he added.

Sarma also disclosed that the Water Resources Department has proposed a ₹90 crore scheme to tackle erosion-related challenges in Assam.

“The department has proposed a ₹90-crore initiative for addressing erosion issues. I will ensure we secure the necessary budget to prevent a recurrence of this situation,” he remarked.

The Chief Minister indicated that a comprehensive assessment of the flood damage in Upper Assam would be conducted in the coming days.

“The complete evaluation of the damage and devastation caused by the recent floods in Upper Assam will be available after a few days. While the floods did not affect the entire Upper Assam, we need to focus particularly on Sivasagar and Charaideo. Although there were losses in Jorhat, Golaghat, Dibrugarh, and Tinsukia, they were not as severe as those in the other two districts,” he explained.

Addressing the challenges of managing erosion along the Brahmaputra, Sarma characterized the river as both perilous and unpredictable.

“The Brahmaputra River poses significant risks and can be devastating. Protecting one area often leads to the river's current impacting another location. This presents a major challenge for us, and we must continue to address it,” he stated.

After reviewing the erosion situation in Dibrugarh, the Chief Minister plans to visit other flood-affected districts in Upper Assam to evaluate relief and rehabilitation efforts firsthand.