Assam: Brahmaputra River's water level decline forces travelers to cross on foot in Dhubri

The Brahmaputra River, once a mighty force shaping the life and economy of Assam, is facing an alarming and unprecedented decline in water levels, severely impacting local communities and transportation. 

 

In the Cholakura area of Dhubri, what was once a flowing river now resembles a shallow drain, leaving residents and authorities deeply concerned.

 

The areas surrounding Hatshingimari, Jaleshwar, and Fakirganj are facing particular hardship. Boat operators, whose vessels are crucial for transportation in these regions, have been forced to halt their journeys midway due to the dangerously low water levels. Passengers are then compelled to disembark and wade across the shallow stretches on foot to continue their travels.  

 

The reduced depth of the river is causing boats, especially those heavily laden with passengers or goods, to scrape against the riverbed, rendering navigation nearly impossible. This year’s water level decline in the Brahmaputra, locally known as the Luit, is significantly worse than in previous years, with some sections of the river now reduced to a width of less than 50 meters. Large parts of the riverbed are barren, resembling a desert.

 

Experts attribute this drastic change to several factors, including upstream activities that may have disrupted the natural flow of the river. The situation has brought both transportation and livelihoods to a standstill, threatening the economic activities of those dependent on the river, including fishing, agriculture, and trade.

 

For now, residents hope for a swift resolution to the crisis, as they endure the hardships caused by the dramatic fall in the Brahmaputra’s water levels. What was once a symbol of vitality for Assam now stands as a stark reminder of the environmental challenges and human activities affecting the region’s future.