Dibrugarh battles fresh Brahmaputra erosion as water resources dept launches overnight protection work

The Water Resources Department carried out overnight erosion-control operations using geo bags and mega bags along the Brahmaputra riverbank at Tingkhong Bhanga Ali in Mohanaghat, Dibrugarh, after a fresh spell of severe erosion triggered panic among residents.

Officials said the emergency protection work was undertaken in an attempt to contain the advancing river, with the department continuing restoration efforts through the night.

The erosion intensified on July 7, with nearly 90 metres of riverbank reportedly washed away, raising fears over the safety of nearby settlements and posing a potential threat to the historic town of Dibrugarh.

The sudden erosion left hundreds of families in the area spending a sleepless night amid fears that their homes, livestock and belongings could be swallowed by the Brahmaputra if the river continued to advance.

Meanwhile, a section of local residents alleged that the latest erosion was the result of negligence in the execution of an ongoing riverbank protection project.

According to locals, an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded project worth ₹321 crore has been underway to strengthen around eight kilometres of embankment from Maijan Mathola to Mohanaghat. However, they claimed that erosion protection work had been halted at the Bhanga Ali stretch of Mohanaghat, where the latest breach occurred.

Although engineers of the Water Resources Department present at the site reportedly cited technical and scientific reasons for excluding the vulnerable stretch from the protection work, many residents said they were unconvinced by the explanation.

Residents also pointed out that the same stretch had witnessed erosion during the previous monsoon season, alleging that despite the passage of a year, adequate preventive measures were not taken.

While the Water Resources Department and district administration continue emergency erosion-control measures, uncertainty remains over whether the ongoing intervention will be sufficient to prevent further damage as the Brahmaputra continues to swell.