Guwahati, Aug 5 (IANS) Assam Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on Wednesday inspected the erosion-hit Jamuguri area in Lakhimpur district and directed officials to prepare a comprehensive long-term protection plan, asserting that the state government would take every necessary step to safeguard vulnerable riverbank communities from the Brahmaputra’s recurring erosion.
Acting on the directions of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Minister visited the affected embankment at Latabari under the Bihpuria Assembly constituency to assess the damage caused by severe erosion and review the emergency measures undertaken by the Water Resources Department and the district administration.
Interacting with the media after the inspection, Mallabaruah lauded the swift response of officials and residents, saying their coordinated efforts had helped avert a major disaster.
He noted that the remarkable coordination, courage and prompt response displayed by the local people, the district administration and the Water Resources Department had helped avert a potentially major disaster.
He added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Government of Assam would take every necessary measure to ensure the long-term safety of the region, assuring people that the government stood firmly with them at all times.
A portion of the embankment at Latabari developed severe erosion late on Tuesday night, while cracks also appeared at several adjoining stretches due to the Brahmaputra’s strong current. Following reports from local legislators, the Chief Minister instructed authorities to launch immediate protective measures.
Officials of the Water Resources Department, district administration and residents worked through the night in mission mode, deploying geo-bags, sand-filled bags and earth to stabilise the vulnerable sections and prevent further damage.
During the inspection, Mallabaruah instructed officials to continue emergency protection work wherever necessary and conduct a detailed technical survey of the damaged embankment and adjoining erosion-prone areas.
He also directed the department to prepare a detailed project estimate for permanent restoration and strengthening of the embankment at the earliest.
The Finance Minister noted that the area remains highly susceptible to erosion because of its proximity to the confluence of the Subansiri and Brahmaputra rivers, where strong hydraulic pressure accelerates riverbank erosion.
He asked the Water Resources Department to examine permanent structural solutions, including embankment strengthening, additional geo-bag reinforcement and other engineering interventions, and submit a detailed proposal to the state government.
–IANS
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