Rains spark flash flood fears in Assam

“The losses we suffered last year were irreparable. But what is more appalling is that the government did precious little to address our problems,” said Dhrubajyoti Bhuyan,who heads a group of fish-farmers at Panigaon near here.

Residents in the district hold the state government responsible for the annual scourge that Lakhimpur has been facing in the recent years. “The government does not have any perspective plan to tackle the situation which is turning worse every year. There is no coordination between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. While Arunachal is going ahead with a number of dams on the Siang,Ranganadi,Dihang and other rivers,Assam has remained a silent spectator,” complained Jagat Bhuyan,a Lakhimpur resident who had worked in the erstwhile flood control department for over 35 years.

Officials in the water resources department blame activities in Arunachal Pradesh for the annual disaster in Lakhimpur and the neighbouring district of Dhemaji. “Massive earthwork in Arunachal Pradesh has changed the character of the rivers that come down and flow through Lakhimpur. The very heavy sediment load has caused the river-beds to rise and also change course,” said an official. Most rivers here have changed course in the past decade. Massive deforestation in Arunachal Pradesh has also contributed to the devastation,officials said.

Deputy Commissioner Narlikar admitted that not all the breaches caused last year have been plugged. He said the authorities have requisitioned the services of the National Disaster Response Force which has earmarked six machine boats for Lakhimpur.