ASSAM FLOODS-PREVENTION
Source: Downtoearth
Context:
Assam is in the grip of another flood, this is the first wave of floods in the monsoon
Apart from incessant rainfall, there are many contributory factors, natural and man-made
Let's discuss the possible steps to prevent the Assam flood and its damage
ASSAM FLOOD PREVENTION
- Assam can strengthen embankments, dredge rivers, address river erosion and take wise policy decisions if it wants to manage floods like the one that struck the state last week. These measures were suggested by the parliamentary standing committee on water resources
- One of the major steps that Assam could undertake could be to strengthen embankments along the Brahmaputra and other rivers.
- Most flood protection structures in Assam are over 50-60 years old. These were constructed on the main stem of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries way back in the 1960s and 1970s and have become weak now.
- Another step would be dredging the state’s rivers. Due to persistent silt accumulation, the highest flood levels of rivers in the floodplain are rising because of the extremely shallow bed of the river and the heavy sediment brought in the monsoon by the river. Under such circumstances, increasing the water holding capacity of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries by dredging may help.
- The panel had also asked the centre to set up modern weather stations in the upstream catchment of all dams in the northeast and install sirens on river banks near dams. This would alert downstream populations in the event of floods.
- The panel also suggested afforestation and rejuvenation of wetlands as, measures to mitigate floods.
- The government should consider the inclusion of river erosion in the admissible list of calamities for availing assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund/State Disaster Response Fund,
- The report also noted that the Brahmaputra Board which has been functional since 1982 does not have enough manpower It has asked the board to fill up all vacant posts on a priority basis.
- The reporting also noted that major flood-prone states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha had not taken the initiative to enact the flood plain zoning bill.
- The bill envisages the zoning of the flood plain of a river according to flood frequencies and defines the type of use of flood plains.
- The report suggested that the Union Minister of Jal Shakti should consider providing financial assistance to those that were willing to implement floodplain zoning.
- The panel also strongly recommended the setting up of River Basin Organizations RBOs.These would effectively provide immediate, short term and long-term solutions in addition to the overall development of the river basin
- Jal Shakti ministry was also asked for priorities and enacts the River Basin Management Authority for holistic management of water resources of each river basin.
