DIBRUGARH, April 23 - The surging water level in the mighty Brahmaputra and its tributaries following unceasing rainfall in the region and continuing river bank erosion has posed serious threat to two flood protection dykes in the twin districts of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.
Massive river bank erosion has already caused breach in the flood protection embankment in Konwargaon within Naharkatia revenue circle where a team led by engineers from the Water Resources Department has been pressed into service for restoration works. The rising water level of the Burhidehing is only a few metres away. �All measures are being taken to restore the dyke. Engineers from the concerned department are supervising protection measures at the spot,� Circle Officer of Naharkatia, S Goswami told The Assam Tribune.
The embankment at Dhola Hatighuli in Tinsukia district is also said to be under threat. It is an erosion-prone area and the rising Brahmaputra waters may breach the embankment any moment. About 1.5 kms was eroded last year. The leaders of the Flood Erosion Resistance Struggle Forum here claimed that the embankment is bound to breach if erosion begins.
�We had submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Water Resources for restoration of the Dibang and Lohit rivers to their original course at Dhola Hatighuli area so as to protect the people in Dhola, Dangori and Talap areas, but evinced no response. More than hundred villages and tea gardens will be submerged if protective measures are not initiated, given the alarming rise in the water level,� Binod Kedia, chief adviser of the Forum said.
Erosion has also been reported at Bogoritolia in Rohmoria under Chabua revenue circle in the district. The magnitude of the erosion could reach dangerous proportions if rain continues and the water level increases in the Brahmaputra, local residents said, relying on their experience in the flood and erosion-prone area.
Meanwhile, flood waters have already engulfed the agricultural fields at Kalakhowa, Lezai and Gorudhuria Gaon Panchayats under Dibrugarh (West) revenue circle. The Burhidehing and the Sessai rivers are overflowing in the area. The flood has submerged the standing ahu rice crop of the farmers in the area too.
However, the human habitations have remained unaffected as of now.
Sources from the Water Resources Department have said that the tributaries were flowing above the danger level in most of the areas, particularly in Margherita, but the water level in the Brahmaputra was still hovering below the danger mark.
