Question

Mention the cause behind wide spread devastation caused by
Bharmaputha river?​

Answer 1

Here are the five reasons why the northeastern state witnesses flood every year

One of the key reasons for annual deluge in the state is the high percentage of flood prone region. According to the Rastriya Barh Ayog (RBA), 31.05 lakh hectares of the total 78.523 lakh hectares area of the state is prone to frequent floods. And the reasons behind this high flood prone area percentage are both man-made and natural.

EARTHQUAKES/LANDSLIDES

Assam and some other parts of the northeastern region are prone to frequent earthquakes, which causes landslides. The landslides and earthquakes send in a lot of debris in the rivers, causing the river bed to rise.

BANK EROSION

Assam has also faced bank erosion around the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers as well as their tributaries. It is estimated that annually nearly 8000 hectares land is lost to erosion. Bank erosion has also affected the width of the Brahmaputra river, which has increased up to 15 km. The damage cost due to bank erosion is estimated to be of several hundred crore every year.

DAMS

Among the man-made reasons, the key cause of floods in Assam region is releasing of water from dams situated uphill. Unregulated release of water floods the Assam plains, leaving thousands of people homeless every year.


ENCROACHMENT

Encroachment in forest lands and water bodies is another main reason that causes flood in the state.