Flood of Assam

Flood is one of the biggest problems of the State. It happens every year during the monsoon season. It creates a lot of problems for the affected people. This year also there is no difference. This year, the flood has affected around 50 lakhs people in 30 districts to date. Around 79 people and hundreds of animal lives have been lost in this flood to date. This flood along with the COVID-19 pandemic is a double blow to the state.

The flood of Assam has been a regular phenomenon in the state since the earthquake of 15th August 1950.  Since then, it has been taking thousands of human and animal lives and devastating properties. The areas around the river Brahmaputra, Barak, and their tributaries are worst affected. During the monsoon season, the surface of these rivers is over-flooded due to massive rainfall. The release of water from the hydro projects of Bhutan and Arunachal has also created problems in the areas.

The flood use to create havoc in the lives of the people during the monsoon season. The people are forced to leave their homes and taken shelter in the relief camps along with their domestic animals. They have lost their farming land with its production in the flood. It also leads to soil erosion and siltation in riverbank areas. This has also created lots of problems for the innocent animals of different nationals parks viz. Kaziranga, Manas, and other wildlife sanctuaries.

The central government needs to announce the flood as the national problem to find a permanent solution. Otherwise, it has always been on the verge of ignorance for the longest time. The financial package released from both the Centre and State Government is not sufficient for the betterment. Moreover, the State Government needs to ensure the speedy and proper process for rescuing and rehabilitation of the people. SDRF, DDMA, and the district administration have a great role to play here. The embankment of the riverbank should be upgraded properly in time. The government should also focus upon the implementation of the dredging of Brahmaputra as announced during the Namami Brahmaputra festival in 2017.

In this regard, I would to like tell you that we also faced the same problem when we shifted to our present home in 1999. I remember those days when we had to go through a lot of hardships in life. So I feel the situation of the people who are currently being affected by the flood.

There is a need for proper planning and its execution to solve the problem of the flood. If China can solve the flood of its Howang Ho then we can also solve it. In this regard, I request our national media to sensitize the flood of Assam as headline news to catch the attention of all.  I also request all to help the flood-affected people in their capacity.