Focus on sharing hydrological data

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, April 25:  State Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta has said that China, Bhutan,  neighbouring States and other agencies are going to share hydrological data with Assam to ensure minimal damage by floods this monsoon.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mahanta said: “The Assam Government raised the issue of Brahmaputra river water turning muddy with the Central Government and China’s failure to share hydrological data with us last year. After pursuance by the Central Government, China has agreed to resume sharing hydrological data once again.”

Mahnata said: “Also, the Central Water Commission (CWC) has looked into the water turning muddy and informed us that minor blockades are there at the upper reaches, but it will not cause any damage.” 

Mahanta further said the matter of sharing regular data with Bhutan was raised when the Prime Minister of the bordering country had visited Assam a couple of months ago, and the Bhutanese government has assured all cooperation in this regard.

Moreover, a meeting at the director-level has been organized with NEEPCO in Meghalaya on May 4 next during which data sharing on water released from NEEPCO dams in the region that impact Assam will be discussed, the minister added.

He further said all 26 embankments that were breached in last year’s floods have been repaired, except the one at Lawkhowa where work is going on and will be completed by deadline of April 30.

Before the onset of monsoon last year, the department had plugged and repaired all 52 open embankments at that time, including those damaged much earlier during previous government’s regime, he added.

 Mahanta said, “There are no open embankments under Water Resource Department in the State. However, there are 53 embankments which are under DRDA, PWD, Town Committees or Zila Parishads that are yet to be repaired.”

He further said all breached embankments under his Department have been repaired, though a few under other departments are still to be renovated.