More than a decade back, it was suggested by the Congress government (under Tarun Gogoi) that big dams should be taken up. Perhaps that could moderate the perennial problems of floods and river erosion.
But there is another view which argues rather eloquently that the environmental consequences of large dams are often huge.
It was stated that large dams also lead to extinction of of many aquatic species, huge destruction of forest and farmlands and also 'disappearance' of birds in flood plains.
There is an international subplot which is understood but nothing much could be done due to foreign policy and geo-strategic issues.
China took up about a decade back its plans to build the Zangmu dam on rivers upstreams of
the Brahmaputra. Such projects could reduce the flow of water into the northeast and there could be even
acute shortage of water in the lower riparian region.
In March 2013, Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had taken up some related issues on these
lines with the Chinese leadership, but Beijing had rejected any proposal for creation of a joint
mechanism to study Chinese activity on the river brahmaputra.
In 2019, a group of visiting Indian journalists were told by Chinese authorities that Beijing
has provided India with hydrological data of trans-border rivers in flood seasons.
Dr YU Xingjun, Consultant at Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology,
had emphasised that whatever development is happening with regards power projects in the Tibetan region
is strictly for 'socio economic' development of the Tibetan people.
China will not do anything vis-a-vis constructions of dams in Tibetan and other regions that could adversely impact
in terms of floods and related natural calamities in India.
"Our Indian friends be rest assured," he had said.
But some unresolved issues remain. Managing the mighty Brahmaputra has always been a challenge for India. But it has never been as stark as it is today.
Floods truly leave irreparable loss to the state of Assam every year. At times even neighbouring states in the northeast like Meghalaya and Tripura also bear the brunt.
The mighty Brahmaputra has been the lifeline for millions in India's northeast. The river
and its tributaries have been the source of livelihood but the fury of the river every monsoon
has often been catastrophic.
This year too the state of Assam is reeling under a devastating flood with an estimated
54.50 lakh people (as of June 24) affected and over 100 people having lost their lives.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, seven people lost their lives in the 24 hours (between June 22 and 23) and 107 people have lost their lives in the season. Of these, 90 reportedly died in floods and 17 in landslides.
Trying to address the situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the central government is closely monitoring the situation. "Over the last few days, parts of Assam have witnessed flooding due to heavy rainfall. The Central government is continuously monitoring the situation in Assam and is working closely with the state government to provide all possible assistance to overcome this challenge."
But these words are easier said than done.
Floods have hit Meghalaya also.
At least 34 people have died and 11 others went missing in Meghalaya between April 1 and June 23 amid heavy downpour and floods.
Altogether, over 6.33 lakh people have been affected in the state in phases.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma says it would take considerable
time to restore road connectivity in the Garo Hills.
Portions of National Highway-62 -- connecting East Garo Hills with Assam have caved in due to landslides, cutting-off the district for about a week.
Sangma said roads have been washed away by landslides with boulders filling up the gaping pits.
"Going by the intensity of the damage, it will take some time before the thoroughfare can be reopened," the chief minister said.
In fact, the "unimaginable" destruction caused in the hills this year was huge and shocking.
It goes without saying that the natural calamity is a regular feature in the region. Floods and landslides are the two major factors impending development not only in Assam but also in the entire north east region. A few years back when the Planning Commission was still functioning, data revealed by it said between 1953 and 1995, an estimated Rs 4400 crore crops have been destroyed.
The situation has hardly changed even after so many years.
Steps are taken from time to time, but never things have been pursued on a war-footing. In 2018, the then Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal urged Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Dr Rajiv Kumar to take cognizance of the perennial problems of floods and erosion in the state.
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