Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: The Assam Nagarik Sanmilan is sounding the alarm on the state's flood crisis. On August 21, the group issued a statement claiming the situation has become a matter of survival. They argue that climate change and current development models have turned routine flooding into a catastrophe. The 1950 earthquake permanently altered river courses and raised the Brahmaputra riverbed, yet officials still rely on embankments. This outdated tactic faces heavy criticism.
Floods once brought fertile silt to fields and replenished wetlands. Now, they bring destruction. The group points to recent flash floods in Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat as proof of this shift. They note that infrastructure projects, mining, and road construction in neighboring states are fueling the problem. Large dams and forced water flow increase the destructive force of these floods. As the group stated, "Assam and other states in the Northeast were particularly vulnerable to extreme rainfall, landslides and flash floods."
Obstructing natural drainage channels worsened the 2023 Haflong floods. The group now demands an end to short-term fixes like simple embankment repairs. They want the government to protect forests, wetlands, and floodplains, specifically opposing any reduction of the Kaziranga National Park eco-sensitive zone. Officials must balance environmental security with the needs of local communities.
A massive convention is in the works. It will bring together experts, including foresters, engineers, geologists, and historians, to audit current infrastructure and mining impacts. Following the meeting, a committee will form to draft a long-term plan. The statement was issued by Hiren Gohain, Harekrishna Deka, Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, Paresh Malakar, Santanu Borthakur, and Abdul Mannan.
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