Assam Grapples with Devastating Floods and Erosion Threatening State's Development

Assam Grapples with Devastating Floods and Erosion Threatening State's Development

Introduction:

Assam, known for its vast river network, is facing an ongoing battle with natural disasters, particularly floods and erosion, which are hindering the overall development of the state. The Brahmaputra and Barak River, along with numerous tributaries, wreak havoc with annual flood devastation during the monsoon season. Additionally, the state's bank erosion problem, caused by these same rivers, poses a significant threat to the region's agricultural lands and rural economy.

Floods: Assam's flood and erosion predicament is distinct from other states due to the extent and duration of flooding and the magnitude of erosion. The flood-prone area of Assam, assessed by the Rastriya Barh Ayog (RBA), comprises 31.05 Lakh Hectares, which is approximately 39.58% of the total land area in Assam. This constitutes a staggering 9.40% of the total flood-prone area in the country, underscoring the severity of the issue.

Over the years, Assam has faced major floods during different periods, notably in 1954, 1962, 1972, 1977, 1984, 1988, 1998, 2002, 2004, and 2012. The floods strike relentlessly, with almost every year witnessing three to four waves of devastation in the flood-prone areas. The average annual loss due to floods stands at Rs. 200.00 Crores, reaching as high as Rs. 500.00 Crores in 1998 and Rs. 771.00 Crores in 2004.

Assam's flood problem is exacerbated by flash floods from rivers flowing down from neighboring states like Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. In 2004 and 2014, the south bank tributaries of Brahmaputra in lower Assam experienced flash floods of high magnitude due to cloud bursts in the catchment areas in Meghalaya. Similarly, in August 2011, cloud bursts in the catchment area of Arunachal Pradesh led to flash floods in the rivers Gainadi and Jiadhal, resulting in significant devastation and loss of lives.

Erosion: Bank erosion by the Brahmaputra, Barak, and their tributaries presents another major challenge to Assam's development. Over the last six decades, more than 4.27 Lakh Hectares of land have been eroded away, which is about 7.40% of the state's area. The width of the Brahmaputra River has expanded up to 15.00 Km at certain points due to relentless bank erosion.

Embankment breaches resulting from river bank erosion have become a common occurrence, leading to the loss of productive agricultural lands and negatively impacting the rural economy. Every year, new areas fall prey to erosion, and the damage is substantial, costing several hundred crores in losses.

Conclusion: Assam's struggle with recurring floods and relentless river bank erosion poses a serious threat to the state's development and livelihoods of its inhabitants. Urgent and sustainable measures are required to tackle these natural disasters, protect vulnerable areas, and mitigate the impact on communities and the economy.