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STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Nearly 70% of the total embankments of the State have already crossed their life span. In other words, 295 of the total 423 embankments are rather vulnerable to the natural vagaries now. A few of these embankments were built in the pre-Independence era. The life span of an embankment is 25 years after its construction.
Against this backdrop, the moot poser is: How the State can fight flood fury with this poor state of a vital part of its Infrastructure sector? Looking at the extremely critical scenario, the immediate need is for the State government to initiate long-term measures through consultations with the Central government. Only then would the strategy to permanently tackle the seasonal floods become fruitful.
Ironically, all the 28 embankments in the flood-prone Lakhimpur district are past their prime. These structures under the North Lakhimpur Water Resources Division were built between 1956 to 1965.
The highest number of 31 such weak anti-flood meaures are in Sibsagar Water Resources Division. All the 45 embankments here were constructed between 1942 and 1991. Similarly, in Dibrugarh Water Resources Division, the life spans of 30 of the 38 embankments there are past the stipulated period. These embankments were constructed in between 1953 and 1991.
Across Lower Assam, Barpeta Water Resources Division has the highest number of 29 out of 35 such structures have been marked as vulnerable. Their construction period was between 1954 and 1997.
A few other Divisions having such vulnerable anti-flood measures are Guwahati East (all the 18 embankments); Upper Assam-Investigation (all the 10 anti-flood embankments); Mangaldoi (all the eight structures); Guwahati West (12 out of 15); Jorhat (14 out of 23); Tezpur (12 out of 13); Nagaon (13 out of 19); Nalbari (10 out of 12); Kokrajhar (10 out of 15); Dhemaji (14 out of 22); Silchar (7 out of 40); and Majuli (8 out 12).