Brahmaputra's rampant erosion threatens Dibrugarh embankment

Time of India

a day ago

Dibrugarh: Massive erosion by the raging Brahmaputra has devoured vast stretches of land along the Dibrugarh Town Protection (DTP) Dyke in Maijan's Thakurbari area over the past 48 hours, bringing the river perilously close to the embankment.
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The erosion, which began near Spur No 1 of the DTP embankment in the Thakurbari area, has carved away 70-80 metres of land vertically along a 250-metre stretch of the riverbank. The river, currently in full spate, now flows a mere 30 metres from the embankment — a distance so narrow that residents describe it as being at "touching distance". It is feared that if the erosion continues unchecked, the DTP Dyke — the only protection from the Brahmaputra — could be compromised, endangering Dibrugarh town.
"The situation is extremely critical. There is heavy erosion. We've never seen the Brahmaputra come this close to the embankment in recent years," Bedanta Gogoi, a resident of Maijan said.
The water resources department has mobilised men and machinery at the site, launching emergency anti-erosion measures since Friday afternoon. To combat the advancing river, workers are dumping mega geo bags along the vulnerable bank using boats, while reinforced cement concrete (RCC) porcupines are being laid to break the strong current and reduce its impact on the riverbank.
"The erosion is rapid. Our teams are working round the clock to stem the river's advance and control the erosion. We are optimistic that our immediate intervention measures will stabilise the situation," a water resources department official said.