Impact of Sesa River Flooding on Agriculture in Lakhimpur District
Severe Flooding Devastates Agricultural Lands
North Lakhimpur, Dec 19: Once fertile agricultural fields in the western regions of Lakhimpur district have been transformed into barren landscapes due to extensive sand deposits. These areas, which border Biswanath district, are now unrecognizable.
During this harvesting season, the croplands that should be bustling with activity appear desolate, as thick layers of sand from the overflowing Sesa River have smothered the paddy fields following the last monsoon.
Villages such as No. 1 Sesa, No. 2 Sesa, Sesa-Rangajan, Panigaon, Phutabhog, and Khalihamari, located within the Narayanpur revenue circle, have been severely impacted by the sand deposits that occurred in May and June of this year.
This year, agricultural output in these flood-affected villages has plummeted to zero, as the sand has rendered the croplands unsuitable for paddy cultivation.
The dire situation has led to significant economic challenges for thousands of residents, who are now facing despair due to their inability to grow crops this season.
Local inhabitants attribute the extensive sand deposits to the absence of flood protection measures on the left bank of the Sesa River.
They argue that the construction of an embankment on the right bank by the Water Resources department in Biswanath district has redirected floodwaters towards the villages on the eastern bank in western Lakhimpur.
While the geo tube and sluice gate embankment on the right bank effectively safeguarded the Biswanath district from this year's monsoon floods, the left bank remained vulnerable, resulting in catastrophic flooding in Lakhimpur during late May.
The sand accumulation has not only devastated agricultural lands but has also damaged vital infrastructure, including roads, schools, and community centers like namghars. The roads in these villages are still in poor condition, hindering vehicle movement. The Srimanta LP School and the namghar in Sesa-Rangajan village have also suffered from the thick sand layers.
Residents have called for immediate and permanent flood control measures from state agencies to be implemented before the next monsoon season arrives.