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The Wire
21-06-2025
- Climate
- The Wire
Repeated Floods in Assam Reflect the State Govt's Failure and Neglect of an Avoidable Disaster
Each monsoon, Assam is inundated – literally and figuratively. Nature is implicated, but the sheer extent and regularity of flood destruction suggest something more sinister: an abiding collapse of governance, planning, and inter-state coordination. What must be addressed as a manageable crisis has instead been normalised as an annual show of misery. Recently, the Lakhimpur district was hit when North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO)'s Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project (RHEP) flooded more than 230 villages with an unplanned release of water. This is one among the numerous instances. Heavy rains also cause these floods, but not alone. Most times, these floods are planned disasters; due to the absence of regulation of discharges from hydroelectric power plants in higher areas such as Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and even Bhutan, which appear to spill willy-nilly while ignoring the impact on areas below. Assam has had to pay dearly for this neglect again and again. The Ranganadi project has a long history of causing flash floods in the districts of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji. In 2025, gates were opened between 50 mm and 1,250 mm within 24 hours. The Ranganadi River, overpowered beyond its limits, burst its banks at 1:00 AM, leaving destruction in its trail – more than 243 villages flooded, two people dead, and huge losses in livelihood and infrastructure. And still, there were no warnings. No alerts. No response plan. Not an isolated catastrophe This catastrophe is not an isolated one. Similar unannounced dam releases caused devastating floods in 2017, 2018, and earlier as well. The story is always the same – sudden surges, breached embankments, destroyed livelihoods, and traumatised communities. One would assume that such a repeated pattern of destruction would prompt systemic reform. Assam is covered by the Dam Safety Act, 2021, which mandates enhanced regulation, safety audits, and disaster preparedness around dams. Yet, on the ground, its enforcement is still essentially tokenistic. While the government says it has established a dam safety authority and a state dam committee, there is no openness regarding their functioning. I brought up this point in the state assembly in 2022, and insisted on an expert committee for inter-state coordination of dam safety. The then Power Minister Nandita Garlosa gave assurances. But in this year's crisis, these committees were silent, invisible, and ultimately ineffective. The fundamental issue is the failure of Assam to establish institutional frameworks. Even after numerous legislative debates and professional suggestions, there exist no signed compensation deals between Assam and organisations such as NEEPCO, NHPC, or Bhutanese hydropower organisations. The current legislation lacks MoUs with sufficient legal force to hold agencies responsible for losses of life and livelihood stemming from floods caused by dam releases. Victims, predominantly farmers and daily wage workers, are left to recover by themselves. Similarly, there is a lack of a universal flood insurance scheme for poor families. A well-balanced policy would mandate dam operators to contribute to such a fund. However, with the power and popular support, the incumbent government has not brought it about. The absence of resources is not the issue; rather, it is a deficiency in political resolve. NEEPCO has also not conducted any scientific investigation of the long-term effects of its dam operation on the downstream people. No Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been carried out post-facto despite repeated demands, and no information is made available in the public domain. Planning of stage II of the Ranganadi project, bringing in a 134-meter-high storage dam, is going forward without carrying out any downstream risk assessment. This is a shocking oversight, particularly given the havoc wrought by Stage I. The embankments of Assam narrate a tale of deterioration as well as neglect. Over the past decade, over Rs. 1,000 crore has been spent on them, but they remain weak structurally, silted, and at times breached. Utilisation of contemporary erosion-resistant materials such as geo-bags or vetiver grass is almost negligible. Anti-erosion works are subcontracted with no local consultation, and they go with the first big flood of the year. There is no basin-level plan, no audit, no accountability. BJP's 2016–2025 Vision Document reads like a list of unkept promises In this backdrop, the BJP's 2016–2025 Vision Document reads like a list of unkept promises. The much-hyped dredging of the Brahmaputra between Sadiya and Dhubri is still in the cold storage – no detailed project report made, no budget disclosed, and not an inch dug. The island of Majuli is still losing land. Ten villages have already gone in two years, and the promised measures to save them are yet to take shape. The River Research Institute sleeps. The Barak Board is aforgotten press release. Even new ideas, such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)-tied plantation of bamboo and mangroves along erosion-prone areas, have not been tried. All that is left are yearly tragedies and hollow headlines. It is time to break free from excuses. The government's unpreparedness is not a lapse – it is a systemic failure. The Centre also needs to be held accountable. Though it set up high-powered committees and assured ₹15,000 crore under the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP), very little has been delivered to Assam. There is no genuine effort to harmonise water release timing between upstream and downstream states. The Assamese cannot go on suffering because of administrative lethargy and political complacency. It requires more than compensation cheques issued belatedly. It requires a change of mindset – radical transformation from merely being reactive in nature and providing relief to being proactive in approach and offering protection. Assam must urgently enact its own flood plain zoning Act and sign binding compensation and water-release agreements with dam-operating agencies. The government should collaborate with national bodies to deploy artificial intelligence (AI)-based flood forecasting systems, introduce a universal flood insurance scheme for vulnerable zones, and conduct independent audits of all embankments The era of tokenism is over. The government led by Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has failed not due to incapacity but due to unwillingness. While floods may be natural, the suffering they cause is political. Only preventive, transparent, and accountable governance can end this cycle of avoidable disaster Let this be the final monsoon in which people lose their lives due to the inaction of leaders. The author is the leader of opposition in the Assam state assembly.
India Today
03-06-2025
- Climate
- India Today
36 dead, over 5.5 lakh affected as heavy rain continues to lash Northeast
The flood situation in the Northeast remains grim as incessant rainfall continues to cause mayhem across several states. The total death toll from floods and landslides triggered by the downpour over the past few days has now risen to 36, with over 5.5 lakh people affected across the region. advertisementAssam is the worst-hit state, reporting 11 deaths and over 5.35 lakh affected people across 22 districts. Fifteen rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Barak and Subansiri, were flowing above danger levels at multiple Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said Sribhumi, Cachar and Nagaon districts were amongst the worst affected. Over 31,000 people have taken shelter in 165 relief camps, and the deluge has also destroyed crops across 12,610 hectares and killed 94 animals in the last 24 hours. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited flood-hit areas in Lakhimpur district, blamed the release of water from North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited's (NEEPCO) Ranganadi Dam in upstream Arunachal Pradesh for worsening the flood NEEPCO reserves a large quantity of water and then releases it together, it becomes a kind of 'water bomb'," Sarma said. He announced temporary and post-monsoon restoration of breached embankments and assured residents of all necessary flood impact also disrupted rail, road and ferry services, with ferry operations between Majuli and Jorhat suspended for the second consecutive day. Train services from Silchar were also cancelled due to Arunachal Pradesh, the toll climbed to 10 after one more death was reported from Lohit district. Over 900 people in 23 districts have been affected by floods and landslides, with rivers in spate across West Kameng, Dibang Valley, Papum Pare and other districts. Governor Lt General K T Parnaik (Retd) expressed condolences and urged people to remain alert in vulnerable reported three deaths and six army personnel missing after a landslide struck a military camp at Chhaten in Mangan district on Sunday evening. Defence officials identified the deceased as Havaldar Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur and porter Abhishek Lakhada. Rescue operations are underway in extremely challenging terrain. On Tuesday morning, a V-5 helicopter deployed 23 NDRF personnel from Pakyong Greenfield Airport to Chaten in North Sikkim for relief operations. Equipped with satellite phones and emergency gear, the team will assist in rescue, evacuation and restoring communication in the inaccessible region. Authorities are also exploring foot-access routes and helipad feasibility, depending on weather conditions. Seeing the situation in the Northeast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla. PM Modi has assured all the help and support to combat the Sarma took to X and wrote that PM Modi called him to enquire about the current flood situation in Assam. He added, "I briefed him on how continuous rainfall in Assam and adjoining states has led to flooding and impacted many lives. I also apprised him of the relief operation undertaken by the state government." advertisementHe further wrote, "The Hon'ble PM expressed concern and assured full support from the Central Government for our relief and rehabilitation efforts. Grateful for his guidance and unwavering support to the people of Assam."Sikkim Chief Secretary R Telang chaired a high-level review meeting, focusing on road clearance, power restoration and evacuation measures. The tourism department has issued advisories urging travellers to check weather and road conditions before planning Mizoram, all schools were shut on Monday as heavy rain led to landslides, mudslides and waterlogging. At least five people, including three Myanmarese refugees, have died since May 24 due to rain-related incidents. Earlier, educational institutions were closed on May 29 and 30 as a is also reeling from severe floods, with over 19,800 people affected and more than 3,000 houses damaged across the state. Major rivers, including the Imphal and Iril, have breached their banks at several points, submerging nearby residential areas and agricultural land. advertisementTripura, meanwhile, saw some improvement in the flood situation on Monday with reduced rainfall and receding river levels. However, over 10,000 people continued to stay in 66 relief camps across the state, officials said. West Tripura accounted for the maximum number of displaced the monsoon continues to batter the Northeast states, the Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati has forecast moderate to very heavy rainfall across Assam, with isolated areas expected to receive extremely heavy showers. Authorities across the Northeast remain on high alert amid ongoing rescue, relief and restoration India Meteorological Department on Tuesday forecast light to moderate rainfall across most parts of Northeast India over the next seven days. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely on June 3, with chances of isolated heavy showers continuing over the following 24 hours, the weather office Watch
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PGCIL commissions Kathalguri-Namsai line ahead of schedule in Arunachal Pradesh
Itanagar: In a significant step toward strengthening the power network in Arunachal Pradesh, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited ( PGCIL ) has completed the 220 kV double circuit Kathalguri-Namsai transmission system five months before its scheduled deadline. The line was energised late on Saturday night, a PGCIL statement said here on Monday. The project, carried out under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) model, enhances the reliability of electricity supply across the region. Stretching 71 km, the new line connects the Assam gas-based power plant operated by NEEPCO at Kathalguri to a modern 220 kV gas-insulated substation (GIS) at Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh. A bay extension at the Kathalguri end has also been completed to improve system operations. The infrastructure upgrade allows smoother power flow from the national grid into Arunachal Pradesh, while also improving voltage stability and providing critical system backup, essential for a dependable year-round electricity supply. It is expected to significantly support the region's development initiatives, the statement said. Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein praised the accomplishment. "Kudos to PGCIL for their exemplary execution and unwavering commitment to the Northeast. This project is a cornerstone in our journey toward robust and reliable energy infrastructure," he said in a social media post.
Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Patel Engineering bags hydro power project from NEEPCO worth Rs 711 crore
Patel Engineering (PEL) said that it has been awarded a contract for undertaking the construction of hydropower project valued at Rs 711.29 crore by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO). As per the terms of the contract, the company would construct a 240 MW HEO hydropower project located in Arunachal Pradesh under EPC Mode. The scope of work includes construction of civil and associated infrastructure works, testing & commissioning of hydro-mechanical plant & machinery leading to successful operation and performance of all the generating units of the hydro electric project. PEL had earlier been declared L1 (lowest bidder) for this project. The said project is located in the Shi Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh and is scheduled to be completed within 44 months. Kavita Shirvaikar, managing director, Patel Engineering, said: "We are proud to have been awarded the HEO Hydropower project from NEEPCO. This order further cements our position as a trusted partner for building critical infrastructure for Indias power sector and strengthens our position in the North-East. Arunachal Pradesh with its vast and largely untapped hydropower potential, is emerging as a key region in Indias renewable energy landscape." Patel Engineering is a construction company specializing in the hydropower and irrigation segments. It is engaged in the construction of dams, bridges, tunnels, roads, piling works, industrial structures, and other kinds of heavy civil engineering works.
Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Patel Engineering wins Rs 711 cr contract from NEEPCO
For construction of 240 MW HEO Hydropower Project in Arunachal Pradesh NEEPCO has awarded a contract valued at Rs. 711.29 crore to Patel Engineering for the construction of the 240 MW HEO Hydropower Project located in Arunachal Pradesh under EPC Mode. PEL had earlier been declared L1 (lowest bidder) for this project. The said project is located in the Shi Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh, and is scheduled to be completed within 44 months. The Scope of Works include construction of Civil and associated infrastructure works, testing & commissioning of Hydro-mechanical Plant & Machinery leading to successful operation and performance of all the Generating Units of the 240 MW HEO Hydro Electric Project.
