Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi today visited the flood hit Barpeta and Baksa districts where the over-flowing rivers created havoc, rendering thousands of people homeless.
The Governor during his day long visit, first arrived Safakamar and took stock of the erosion hit road. He also visited Chunbari and Bispani areas and inspected the erosion affected places and interacted with the people. He also visited Mathanguri and inspected the entry point of river Beki which causes perpetual flood and erosion every year. Visiting the areas in spite of inclement weather , Governor Prof. Mukhi expressed concern over the extensive soil erosion perpetrated by Beki during its meandering course through Barpeta and Baksa districts.
Governor Prof. Mukhi inspected several areas where largescale erosion took place. He said that he will have threadbare discussion with the senior officers of Water Resources department, Soil Erosion department to narrow down the probable causes of erosion and find out scientific solution to thislongstanding problem. The Governor also said that since Beki is the transboundary river, sometimes heavy rain in upper reaches causes this river to be over flowing, leading to large scale erosion on both sides of its meandering course in Lower Assam districts.
Moreover, Prof. Mukhi taking stock of the magnitude of the flood, asked the district administrations of Baksa and Barpeta to expeditiously reach out to the flood affected people and provide them relief. He also made it clear that the people displaced by flood and presently sheltered in relief camps should be given good quality relief materials. He also asked the DCs to make medical facilities available in relief camps and take special care of the infants, pregnant women, lactating mothers and elderly people.
It may also be noted that in the backdrop of seasonal flood, Barpeta Water Resources Division, executed four number of bank protection works were executed at Gamariguri and Safakamar area. After execution of these schemes the existing State PWD road to Manas National Park from Barpeta Road had been protected from further erosion. A scheme at Gamariguri area and another scheme for protection of Barapeta Cattle Farm are going to be executed very soon. Prof. Mukhi also said that in line with studying the course of the Brahmaputra, a study shall also be undertaken to find a durable solution to flood and erosion caused by Beki. He also said that since the conventional methods of giving porcupine, spars etc did not prove to be effective in controlling erosion, some scientific measures need to be developed to tame the river and stop erosion.