Civil groups flag gaps in Barak flood control works

Silchar: Joint inspection by members of four civil society organisations on Saturday revealed gaps in the ongoing flood mitigation works across key drainage channels and embankments in Barak Valley, raising fresh concerns over the region’s preparedness for urban flooding.Accompanied by officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD), including assistant executive engineer Debashis Acharya, members of the United Forum for Barak Valley Development, March for Science, Pragatisheel Nagarik Manch and Nagarik Swartharaksha Sangram Parishad visited Rangirkhal, Longaikhal and the Berenga Nathpara embankment.While the team found construction of a guard wall incomplete at Rangirkhal, extending only up to Shib Colony bridge, behind the cremation ground, excavated soil from desiltation was dumped within and along the canal, reducing its depth and hampering the flow of water.“Without coordinated and time-bound action, the region will continue to face artificial floods and waterlogging every monsoon,” said Satyajit Gupta, a member of the inspection team.WRD officials claimed that construction of the guard wall and removal of excavated material was supposed to be carried out by the irrigation wing of the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (DoHUA). However, the inspection team noted that incomplete work and improper disposal of soil undermined the drainage improvement efforts.

While the officials maintained that their role was limited to clearing floating waste and water hyacinth, the team found that even that was only partially carried out.The inspection team also flagged the practice of piling removed waste along canal banks, without proper disposal, raising the risk of it being washed back into the drains during the monsoon season.At Berenga Nathpara, work on laying stitched geo-bags along the embankment is nearing completion and is expected to finish within a few days. However, repair of the breached upper section of the embankment is yet to begin, despite the project’s deadline having expired on March 31.