0- Only Amazon carries more water than Brahmaputra in the World
- Brahmaputra one of the mightiest river in Asia (103 tributaries many come from Tibet and Bhutan and Barak)
- Passes through Assam and sustains life in the State. But, floods occur every monsoon season affecting the life and property of 20 districts of Assam every season (out of 32 districts)
- As per National flood commission of India Brahmaputra valley is one of the most hazard prone area. 40% of states land (42% area of state) is flood prone.
- As per study sponsored by NDMA Brahmaputra eroded 388 sq. Km of land in Assam between 1997 and 2008.
- Floods seriously impair the developmental activity causing property loss and life loss.
- Loss to infrastructure includes damages to houses, dykes, embankments, roads, bridges, schools, angan wadi centers costing hundreds of crores every year.
- Brahmaputra and Barak together with their tributaries have caused flood situation.
Causes of floods:
- Embankments over Barak and tributaries of Brahmaputra are ageing (constructed before 20-25 years).
- Above normal rainfall in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in July.
- Sediment load of Brahmaputra is highest in the world.
- Brahmaputra waters contain more sediments raising river by 3 meters in some places and reducing the water carrying capacity of river.
- Landslide and increasing topsoil erosion in rivers catchment areas in Arunachal Pradesh from where most of the Brahmaputra’s tributaries come have added to rivers sediments.
- As per Brahmaputra Board, Deforestation in Assam and its neighboring states have accelerated the process of land erosion.
How to stop floods?
- Constructing reservoirs to hold water during monsoon is one way to reduce floods.
- Countries like Netherlands a practice “room for river” where wetlands were rejuvenated which work as flood cushions. Assam has around 3500 wetlands, if we rejuvenate them they can act as flood cushions.
- Increasing forest cover.
- Construction of storage dams upstream increases the power generation and helps in regulating the flow. Opposition from the locals is one of the major problem for these dams. We need to persuade and by explaining the benefits and ensuring proper compensation and rehabilitation. To start with 2000 MW Subansiri project may be the first step.
