Over 90 lives have already been lost and over three million people have been impacted by the floods. There have been a lot of people displaced. Damage to homes, roads, bridges, river embankments, and crops has occurred in at least 28 of the state’s 35 districts. The state government unveiled a number of flood control measures last year, but it’s unclear if they were put into action.
According to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, “geographical factors outside the state’s control are what cause floods.” That’s the same as giving up on the circumstance.There is a need to find solutions to lessen the impact of the annual floods, as they are becoming more intense.
Source: Hindustan Times
There are more than 120 rivers that flow in Assam, one of which is the powerful Brahmaputra. The hydrology, topography, and climate of Assam contribute to its greater susceptibility to floods in comparison to other states. But for decades, governments have been unable to control flooding. The construction of embankments is the usual option, although its efficacy is coming under increasing scrutiny.
Over the years, the state has built more than 5,000 kilometres of embankments. Many of them are unstable due to poor maintenance, which causes the water to flow downstream and flood neighbouring places. There isn’t the recommended afforestation to strengthen embankments.Additional steps like dredging, stopping erosion, and building reservoirs to divert water from rivers are also not taken seriously. Though it has drawn attention, the state has opposed the idea to build upstream dams.
Source: WION
Assam lacks trustworthy hydrological data that might serve as the foundation for flood control or management strategies. The state requires more research, funding, and efficient policies. The state’s flood warning system is still deficient. A new issue has been brought about by climate change. Certain rivers have shifted their courses, making previous flood control plans and knowledge obsolete.
Floods and other issues brought on by heavy rains have also affected Manipur and Mizoram, two more northeastern states. There has been harm to Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Numerous locations reported experiencing landslides, cloudbursts, and traffic disruptions on the roads and highways. Floods present a significant issue since they differ from state to state, district to district, and year to year, necessitating tailored responses.
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