New Delhi, Nov 29 : Failure of flood management and flood protection structures, deforestation/watershed degradation, and encroachment of riverine areas were among the major reasons as recognised by the government for the annual floods in Assam, the Parliament was informed on Monday. According to Bishweswar Tudu, Minister of State for Jal Shikti, the reasons for Assam’s annual flooding were: high intensity rainfall, short duration, poor or insufficient drainage/channel capacity, high silt load, steep slope, and transverse gradient.This leads to erosion and deportation in the plains, which in turn alters the course of rivers.
When asked if the government had assessed the effects of riverbank erosion due to flooding of the Brahmaputra, Assam, he replied that Assam experienced major floods in 1954 and 1962, 1972, 1977.
He also mentioned that Assam was subject to major floods in 1988, 1998, 2002, 2002, and 2004.He cited the state Water Resources Department (WRD) and stated that erosion on the banks of the river Brahmaputra as well as its tributaries has exacerbated the state’s flood problem.
Rajmani Patel asked Tudu if Assam’s WRD had been implementing flood protection programs under Flood Management Programme, NABARD RIDF and other components in order to reduce the perennial problem of flooding.
During the XI Plan, 141 projects worth Rs 2,383.11 million were approved under the Centrally Sponsored FMP.Assam has received total central assistance of Rs 1,286.39 million since the beginning of the XI Plan.
The Brahmaputra board is also implementing Anti erosion measures at Dhola Hatighuli, Majuli Island, Majuli District, and Mankachar Kalair Alga, in South Salmara–Mankachar district.
niv/vd #Assam #floods #admits #failure #flood #Delhi
.
