Assam to build embankments to reduce flood threat

DISPUR: The Government of Assam has started steps to create 1000 kilometres (km) of concrete embankments throughout the state in order to reduce the threat of flooding and river erosion. Chief Minister of Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Tuesday, January 25, while inaugurating dredging work on the river Jiyabharali in Bokagaon, Balipara, Sonitpur district, “The state’s Water Resource Department is planning to construct 1000 km of concrete embankments.” The department has been given Rs 1500 crore for flood management, and World Bank and ADB-funded projects are being carried out on various rivers across the state, CM Sarma said.

CM Sarma noted that the river bank is becoming shallower every year as a large amount of silt is deposited. “The loss of river bed depth has resulted in the reduction of water carrying capacity and floods on both banks by Jiyabharali. To address this issue, the Water Resource Department is dredging a 20-km length of the river to de-silt and restore river depth,” stated CM Sarma.

The state government is working to make Assam flood-free, and the success of trial dredging project in Jiyabharali will pave the way for future such projects on the Kundil, Jiyadhal, and Aai rivers as a flood-control strategy, he added.