- Source – Indian Express
- Link – https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/why-assam-keeps-flooding-9435619/
- Syllabus – GS Paper 03
- Topic – Disaster Management
What is the issue?
The article discusses how Assam, despite repeated floods and significant damage, has failed to effectively manage its flood situation. It highlights the geographical challenges, outdated flood control methods, and lack of modern infrastructure to predict and mitigate flooding. The text criticizes both state and central governments for inadequate response and planning.
Why is Assam Prone to Flooding?
- Abundance of Rivers: With over 120 rivers, many originating from high rainfall areas in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, China, and Bhutan, Assam’s extensive river network exacerbates flood risks.
- Brahmaputra River: The Brahmaputra, a massive river flowing through Assam, significantly contributes to flooding during monsoon seasons due to its size and catchment area.
- Geographical Features: Assam’s bowl-shaped lowlands, particularly cities like Guwahati, are susceptible to waterlogging and inundation during heavy rainfall events.
- Outdated Flood Control Measures: Historical flood control structures built in the 1960s and 1970s are outdated and inadequate to manage current flood conditions effectively.
- Lack of Maintenance: Embankments and other flood control infrastructure have not been properly maintained or updated, reducing their effectiveness over time.
- Inadequate Disaster Management Systems: The absence of modern weather stations and advanced flood warning systems hampers timely disaster preparedness and response.
- Environmental Degradation: Continuous construction activities have disrupted natural water channels and wetlands, diminishing natural flood buffering capacity.
What needs to be Done?
- Implement Flood Mitigation Projects: Act on proposed flood mitigation projects announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to enhance flood resilience across the region.
- Modernize Flood Warning Systems: Install advanced weather stations and sirens as recommended by a parliamentary panel in 2021 to improve early warning capabilities.
- Integrate Indigenous Knowledge: Incorporate traditional knowledge to develop flood-resistant housing and infrastructure designs suitable for Assam’s flood-prone areas.
- Conduct Regular River Dredging: Regularly dredge rivers to manage sediment buildup and improve water flow capacity, reducing flood risks.
- Address Soil Erosion: Implement measures to prevent soil erosion along riverbanks, stabilizing landscapes and decreasing sediment load in rivers during monsoons.
- Enhance Collaboration: Foster closer collaboration between the state and central governments to ensure coordinated efforts and sufficient resources for sustainable flood management solutions.
