9 months ago
Dikrong River Erosion Rekindles Fears in Lakhimpur Villagers
Imagine a river like the Dikrong.
Sometimes, a big power company, NEEPCO, has to let water out of a dam upstream to make electricity.
When they let out too much water, especially at night, the river gets bigger and faster.
This makes the riverbanks weak, and the river starts eating away at the land, like a hungry monster.
This has happened before, washing away homes and farms.
Now, it's happening again, even on land people thought was safe.
The river is taking away fields where farmers were growing yummy fruits and vegetables.
It's like the river is changing its path and becoming wider and more messy.
This causes problems for the farmers, making them worry about losing their land all over again.
Villagers in Lakhimpur district are experiencing renewed fears of erosion along the Dikrong river.
The erosion is attributed to the release of water from NEEPCO's Ranganadi hydroelectric dam, channeled into the Dikrong.
Water discharge of up to 160 cumecs intensifies flooding and bank erosion, reshaping the river.
Farmers are losing significant portions of their croplands to the accelerating erosion, with daily fluctuations in water levels causing surprise losses.
Experts note that the Ranganadi hydroelectric project has minimal flood control capacity and no dedicated flood storage, contributing to the problem.
- Who
- Lakhimpur villagers, particularly farmers in Pokadol and surrounding areas, and NEEPCO (North East Electrical Power Corporation)
- What
- The Dikrong river is eroding its banks at an accelerated rate, causing loss of cropland and fear among villagers, due to water released from NEEPCO's Ranganadi hydroelectric dam.
- Where
- Along the Dikrong river banks, specifically in villages like Madhupur, Bholukaguri, Dohghoriya, and Pokadol under the Bihpuria Revenue Circle and Pub-Dikrong Gaon Panchayat in Lakhimpur district, Assam.
- When
- Ongoing, intensified during evenings and nights, with villagers finding significant erosion by morning. This follows a similar major flood event in 2004.
- Why
- The release of water from NEEPCO's Panyor Hydro Electric Power plant on the Ranganadi into the Dikrong river increases water levels and discharge, disrupting sediment patterns and leading to increased bank erosion and river braiding.
Key facts
- Location
- Lakhimpur district, Assam
- River
- Dikrong
- Cause of Erosion
- Release of reservoir water from NEEPCO's Ranganadi hydroelectric dam
- Water Discharge
- Up to 160 cubic metres per second (cumecs)
- Affected Villages
- Madhupur, Bholukaguri, Dohghoriya, Pokadol
- Hydroelectric Plant
- NEEPCO's 405 MW Panyor Hydro Electric Power (PHEP)
