GUWAHATI, June 1 ? Floods caused by the rivers Brahmaputra and Barak and their 52 major tributaries cripple the socio-economic development of Assam and according to a report prepared by the State Water Resources department, floods claim more than 40 lives a year. According to the report, more than 1950 persons lost their lives in floods during the period from 1954 to 2000 and highest number of 221 persons were killed in the year 1988. The total damage to crop and public utilities during the period was estimated to the tune of Rs 4,391.94 crore. During the same period, more than five lakh cattle died, while the total crop area affected was 6.365 million hectares, which seriously affected agricultural production in the State.
However, the figures calculated reflect only a portion of the damages caused by floods as the indirect loss and suffering of the people can never be assessed in monetary terms as over 2.39 million people are affected every year. The report pointed out that the State has to make full use of its scare resources, time and manpower every year to repair the damages caused by floods which seriously affected the economy of Assam.
The National Flood Commission estimated 31.05 lakh hectares as flood-prone area in the State which constitutes nearly 40 per cent of the total geographical area. This figure is much higher than the national average of 10 per cent. The Water Resources Department report pointed out that the rivers Brahmaputra and Barak originate and flow through international boundaries, while most of their main tributaries originate from the neighbouring States. Till dates most of the flood control measures taken in Assam are confined within the geographical boundaries of the State. The Water Resources Department is of the view that to effectively deal with the problem of floods, controlling measures would have to be taken from the source to the downstream level as a whole. As the source of the problem lies beyond the State boundary, inter-state coordination and concerted efforts must be taken. The report said that according to eminent experts in the field, any long-term measure towards solution of problem of floods lies with the construction of detention reservoir, dam, etc., on the upper reaches. But this will require active cooperation from the countries like China and Bangladesh.
Silt deposition by Brahmaputra and Barak and their tributaries is a major problem. During June to September every year, an enormous quantity of silt-laden water passes through the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys causing heavy damage to crops. Vast areas of cropland in Assam have already turned into sand fields due to silt deposition. Due to the geo-physical condition of the entire north-eastern region and environmental degradation on the upper reaches, the Brahmaputra and its tributaries carry heavy silt loads and it is apprehended that the problem of silt deposition, if not checked immediately, will assume alarming proportions in the days to come. The Water Resources Department is of the view that this environment degradation can be checked only if an integrated and inter-state policy is adopted by the Central Government to deal with the problem. The report pointed out that the plains of Assam have to face the fury of floods but the problem cannot be cased without active cooperation from the adjourning States. For long-term measures, the adjourning countries will also have to be involved. Unless the problem is taken up by the Central Government, the Government of Assam cannot achieve much in this regard.
It may be mentioned here that so far the Government of India has not been giving due importance to tackle the problem of floods and even the recommendations of the expert committees were not implemented. Over the years, the State Government has been requesting the Centre to declare flood as national problem and the State Assembly also passed resolution in this regard last year. But till date, Assam received nothing but promises. For example, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda had promised to provide Rs 500 crore during the 9th Five Year Plan to take up flood control measures, but the promise remained on paper only as the State received a meagre amount of Rs 54 crore during the period.