Dibrugarh: The Brahmaputra’s aggressive current has triggered severe erosion in the Maijan area of Dibrugarh, with large stretches of land being swallowed by the river in recent days.
The erosion, which began on August 10, has now taken a destructive turn, forcing several families to shift their belongings to safer places.
Initially starting in the Thakurbari area, the erosion has carved away nearly 70–80 metres of land vertically along a 250-metre stretch of the riverbank. The river, currently in full spate, now flows a mere 30 metres from the embankment—a distance so narrow that residents describe it as being at “touching distance.”
The situation has become alarming as the riverbank erosion has advanced dangerously close to the embankment dyke and several key offices, including the headquarters of the Water Resources Department. The newly established Chief Minister’s Secretariat is also not far from the affected area, raising further concerns.
In response, the Water Resources Department has deployed geo-bags and porcupine structures to check the erosion. However, locals fear these measures are only temporary, as strong currents continue to wash them away.
“We have been living here for several years, but now the erosion poses a serious threat to our lives. We are losing huge bighas of land due to erosion. We want a scientific solution to solve this problem,” said Kalyan Das, a local resident.
He added, “Every year we are losing land to erosion. If a permanent solution is not taken at the earliest, then the Dibrugarh Town Protection (DTP) dyke will be washed away into the river.”
Residents and local organisations have expressed deep frustration, pointing out that despite repeated promises by successive governments, no permanent or scientific solution has been implemented to tackle Dibrugarh’s long-standing erosion crisis.
Erosion has posed a constant threat to Dibrugarh town, with vulnerable areas such as Maijan, Mohanaghat, Koylaghat, Kacharighat and Puja Ghat witnessing repeated damage in recent years.
Public demand has now grown louder for a permanent and scientific intervention to safeguard the town.
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