Govt to talk to experts to resolve flood-erosion caused by Bhutan waters: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the government will hold consultations with experts to find a solution to the problem of flood and erosion caused by Bhutan waters in the areas of the state adjoining the Himalayan country.

            The state Water Resource Department has already been asked to prepare a project to control it, he added.
           
“As Assam is situated on the foothills of Bhutan, floods and erosion caused by water gushing in from the upper reaches will be a recurring problem for us,” Sarma told reporters after visiting an erosion site at Laokhriguri in Chirang district.
 
            “We have to talk to experts and find a solution,” he added.
 
            Sarma said it has to be studied how the water flowing in from Bhutan can be channelised so that erosion along the river banks is controlled.
 
            He added that the Water Resources Department has been asked to prepare a project for it and measures will be taken based on it.
 
            “Embankments can hold water only to a limit. When it rains in Bhutan as well as Assam, the problems are compounded,” he said.
 
            Sarma also visited theLaokhriguri relief camp in the district and reviewed the facilities there.
 
The chief minister also visited Bongaigaon district and reviewed the relief and rehabilitation measures for flood-affected people.
 
“Visited Tinkonia Part 1 (Gobindapur) under Srijangram Revenue Circle in Bongaigaon to inspect the erosion-hit area & interacted with affected people. Also reviewed relief & rehabilitation measures undertaken by dist admin at a meeting at Malegarh Higher Secondary School campus,” he Tweeted later.
 
Sarma said Rs 3,800 has been provided to 4,000 flood-hit families and other assistance to over 3 lakh affected people in Bongaigaon district.
 
“We’ll also provide financial assistance for damage caused to houses and study materials of students during the flood,” he added.
 
At least 192 people have been killed in flood and landslides in the state this year so far, with over 3.6 lakh people in 10 districts still reeling under the deluge.