Assam Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika visited Morigaon district on May 17 to review the progress of ongoing anti-erosion works and assess the preparedness against impending floods. The visit comes as a critical intervention ahead of the monsoon season, which annually brings widespread devastation in flood-prone areas of Assam.
Addressing local officials and residents during his site inspections, Hazarika stressed the urgent need to strengthen embankments and implement robust flood-control mechanisms. He assured the public that the state government remains deeply committed to ensuring the safety and livelihood of the people living along the vulnerable riverbanks of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries.
The minister inspected embankments in Lahorighat and Bhuragaon and interacted with engineers and local administrators overseeing the work. He expressed satisfaction with the pace of progress at several sites but emphasized the importance of maintaining quality and meeting deadlines. Hazarika directed the Water Resources Department to use modern technologies and ensure transparent implementation of each project component.
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Residents of Morigaon, who have long endured the annual wrath of floodwaters and river erosion, welcomed the minister’s visit as a positive step. Many expressed hope that this year’s preventive works would be more effective, especially with real-time monitoring and higher budget allocations.
Hazarika further pointed out that the government has already sanctioned several crores of rupees for flood management schemes in Morigaon district alone. These include the construction of new embankments, reinforcement of existing structures, and improved drainage systems to mitigate waterlogging in low-lying areas.
He also stressed that coordination between different departments—revenue, water resources, and disaster management—is key to minimizing disaster impact. The minister urged field officers to remain alert and maintain constant communication with local bodies and the public.
In his media briefing, Hazarika criticized the earlier lack of planning and inconsistent execution under previous regimes. He stated that under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership, Assam is moving towards long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. “We cannot allow erosion to continue displacing our people year after year. We will act decisively,” he said.
Morigaon Deputy Commissioner Devashish Sharma accompanied the minister during the visit and assured the public that contingency plans are already in place to deal with any emergency during the floods. He said disaster response teams, rescue boats, relief materials, and flood shelters are being readied in advance.
Local villagers recounted how the previous year’s floods had washed away farmlands, damaged homes, and left thousands displaced. For them, the visible government attention offers a renewed sense of assurance. Farmer Jiten Das, who lost his crop to erosion last year, said, “If these embankments hold, we can finally sleep without fear.”
With climate change increasing the frequency and severity of floods in Assam, the importance of long-term flood-resilient infrastructure cannot be overstated. Hazarika’s visit is part of a larger initiative to regularly audit high-risk zones and improve Assam’s readiness in the face of natural disasters.
The minister also hinted at future projects where drone technology and AI-based flood prediction systems will be employed for real-time alerts and faster mitigation responses. He called upon youth organizations and village committees to actively participate in awareness campaigns to educate people on early flood warnings and evacuation procedures.