Severe erosion along the Siang River has damaged wet rice cultivation fields in Borguli village of Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district.
Flooding and the changing course of the river have caused continuous land loss in the Kongkin area under Mebo Sub-Division. The erosion has now reached standing paddy crops, raising concerns among farming families that depend on agriculture for food and income.
Borguli lies in an important rice-producing area of Arunachal Pradesh. The loss of cultivable land therefore creates concerns beyond individual farms.
Farmers fear that continued erosion could destroy more agricultural land and affect their livelihoods in the coming months.
Officials Inspect Erosion-Hit Paddy Fields
A team of district officials and local representatives recently inspected the affected areas to assess the damage.
The team included East Siang ADC (HQ) and in-charge Deputy Commissioner Tatling Pertin, Mebo ADC Nancy Yirang, Namsing Circle Officer Toimi Tagi and Water Resources Department Assistant Engineer Bani Langkam.
Monggu Banggo-I ZPM Bapiyang Tayeng and Borguli village Gaon Burahs also joined the inspection.
The inspection team found that portions of farmer Otil Tayeng’s WRC fields had already eroded. Other agricultural plots in the area also face the risk of further damage.
Officials collected information from the affected areas for a detailed damage assessment report.
Standing Paddy Crops Under Threat
The latest erosion has become especially concerning because it has reached fields with standing paddy crops.
Farmers depend on these fields for both household food and income. Losing crops shortly before harvest can therefore create an immediate financial burden for affected families.
Local residents said the Siang River has already washed away large areas of fertile agricultural land, cash-crop plantations and bamboo groves.
They said the problem has continued since 2021, with repeated flooding and changes in the river’s course gradually affecting farmland.
The current erosion has now reached wet rice cultivation areas, making the situation more urgent for local farmers.
Farmers Seek Government Intervention
Affected villagers have appealed to both the state and Central governments for immediate action.
They have sought adequate compensation for agricultural losses and the construction of durable flood-control and erosion-protection structures.
The farmers also want a long-term solution rather than temporary measures. They fear that continued erosion could destroy more farmland, standing crops and other property.
The villagers have stressed that protecting agricultural land is essential for the survival of farming communities in the area.
Erosion Spreads Across Lower Mebo
The problem is not limited to Borguli.
Several other villages in the Monggu Banggo area of Mebo Sub-Division are also facing erosion along the Siang River. These include Namsing, Seram, Kongkul, Mer and Gadum.
The Arunachal Times reported that the river has been turning towards its left bank in this stretch. The change has affected standing crops, plantations and bamboo groves in several riverbank areas.
The expanding erosion has increased pressure on authorities to take coordinated measures across Lower Mebo.
Mega Flood-Control Project Awaiting Sanction
Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng has called for a comprehensive flood-control project along the affected riverbank.
According to the MLA, a proposal covering the stretch from Sigar to Mer village has been submitted to the Water Resources Department. The proposal is awaiting sanction from the Central government.
Tayeng has argued that small projects at scattered locations may not address erosion across the entire affected stretch. He has called for a larger project to provide more comprehensive protection along the Siang’s left bank in Lower Mebo.
He has also raised concerns about the impact of erosion on villages and public infrastructure in the area.
Earlier Losses Add to Farmers’ Concerns
The current damage follows years of erosion in parts of Mebo Sub-Division.
Farmers and local residents have reported the loss of plantations, bamboo groves and fertile land since 2021. In some areas, erosion has also affected roads, electricity infrastructure and other community assets.
In 2025, farmers in Borguli even began building boulder bunds themselves to protect WRC fields from the Siang. The effort involved several families whose agricultural land faced erosion threats.
The repeated damage has increased demands for permanent riverbank protection.
Borguli’s Role in Rice Production
Agriculture remains central to life in Borguli and nearby villages.
Wet rice cultivation provides both food and income for many households. The region has also been described as one of Arunachal Pradesh’s rice-producing belts.
The loss of WRC fields can therefore affect household earnings as well as local food production.
Farmers say the erosion has become particularly serious because it is now affecting standing paddy. If the river continues to advance, more cultivated land could disappear.
Need for Long-Term Erosion Protection
The latest inspection has provided authorities with updated information about the damage. Officials are preparing a detailed assessment for submission to the concerned authorities.
However, residents want action that goes beyond damage assessment.
They have called for permanent erosion-control structures, compensation for losses and measures to protect remaining farmland.
The proposed Sigar-to-Mer flood-control project could become an important part of that response if authorities approve it. Local representatives have continued to press for government action as erosion affects more villages.
Farmers Await Protection as Erosion Continues
The situation in Borguli highlights the growing impact of Siang River erosion on agricultural communities in Lower Mebo.
Standing paddy fields have already suffered damage, while more farmland remains vulnerable. The problem also extends to neighbouring villages along the riverbank.
Officials have inspected the affected areas and started the process of assessing losses. Farmers, meanwhile, continue to seek compensation and durable protection measures.
With the Siang River continuing to erode agricultural land, local communities are calling for urgent action to protect their farms, crops and livelihoods.