Embankments prove futile in Assam

Devastating floods in Assam have brought to fore the futility of constructing embankments along Brahmaputra as a means to control floods.

Devastating floods in Assam this year have brought to fore the futility of constructing embankments along Brahmaputra as a means to control floods.

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Experts argue that short-lived measures like construction of embankments and dykes as the predominant hazard management measure have proved to be more of a bane than boon intensifying the problem of floods in the state.

Breaching of embankments has been a major cause of intensification of the flood hazard in recent times and the undesirable consequence of embankments, especially in aiding channel aggradations and over bank flooding is clearly visible in Assam, hydrological experts have pointed out.

However, Assam's Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Fisheries Bharat Narah admits that there are conflicting views on the requirement of embankments.

He says though the breaches in the embankments caused problems, the structures saved about 50 per cent of the people of the state from the fury of the floods.