Guwahati: The Brahmaputra Board is developing updated plans for 15 river sub-basins across the Northeast using advanced technology to come up with long-term solutions to address the region’s persistent issues of floods and erosion.
This initiative follows the devastating monsoon season in June, which brought widespread floods and landslides across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura, and Manipur.
Record-breaking rainfall breached embankments and triggered flash floods. Silchar in Assam received 415.8 mm of rainfall in a day and Mizoram alone witnessed more than 600 landslides.
“The Board has been actively engaged in preparing master plans, developing Detailed Project Reports or DPRs for multipurpose projects, monitoring flood management and Border Areas Programme or FMBAP schemes, and executing anti-erosion, flood control and drainage development works,” a senior official said.
The initial plans focus on key rivers across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Meghalaya.
The sub-basins currently under focus include rivers such as Dikhow and Jhanji (Nagaland and Assam), Dikrong (Arunachal Pradesh and Assam), Kolodyne and Tuichang (Mizoram), and 10 rivers across Meghalaya, including Kynshi, Umngot and Simsang.
The Board is currently consulting with state governments and issuing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to integrate stakeholder feedback into the planning process, ensuring comprehensive input.
A committee, comprising representatives from the Central Water Commission, North East Space Application Centre, Survey of India, Geological Survey of India, and key academic institutions, is overseeing the implementation of these plans.
In addition to the ongoing work, future master plans have also been proposed for major rivers such as Sankosh-Raidak, Teesta, Ganol, Jinjiram, Umtru, Kopili, Kollong, Dhansiri (North), Tangani, Noanadi, Nanoi, Barnadi, Feni, Muhuri and Gumti. Draft RFPs for these have already been prepared.
The High Powered Review Board (HPRB) has advised the Brahmaputra Board to expedite the development of advanced DPRs and improve monitoring procedures in collaboration with state authorities.
The HPRB has also recommended pilot projects focusing on nature-based solutions, springshed and watershed management, and urban flood control.
“The Brahmaputra Board is working to evolve into a knowledge-based River Basin Organisation capable of delivering the best technical solutions to basin states,” an official said.
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Officials urged state governments to continue executing anti-erosion and flood protection measures under the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP), while relying on the Board’s integrated planning and technical expertise for effective solutions wherever required.
