Rapid riverbank erosion at Thakurbari in Maijan, Dibrugarh district, has brought the affected stretch to within around 10 metres of the Dibrugarh Town Protection (DTP) Dyke, a key flood-protection embankment for Dibrugarh town and adjoining areas. The erosion has continued for nearly a week, with residents reporting significant loss of land along the riverbank.
The DTP Dyke serves as a barrier against flooding in Dibrugarh town, particularly during periods of high water levels in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries. Residents fear that continued erosion could further weaken the riverbank and bring the embankment into the active erosion zone. Local resident Mintu Das pointed out that the peculiar topography of the Brahmaputra in Dibrugarh, where the bed of the Brahmaputra is higher than the level of Dibrugarh town itself, makes any breach of the DTP Dyke potentially catastrophic.
Residents of Thakurbari and nearby areas have urged the Water Resources Department and district administration to inspect the erosion site and undertake immediate protective measures. The Water Resources Department has deployed geo-bags in an attempt to check the erosion and reinforce the vulnerable stretch. However, residents remain sceptical about the effectiveness of the measures, citing previous instances where geo-bag interventions failed to prevent the river from advancing.
Residents have called for continuous monitoring of the affected stretch, an assessment of the dyke’s structural condition, and reinforcement of vulnerable points. They have also urged authorities to consider other suitable anti-erosion measures. With the riverbank reportedly around 10 metres from the dyke, residents are urging authorities to intensify preventive measures before further erosion compromises the flood-protection structure.
The erosion comes during the monsoon, when several stretches along the Brahmaputra and its tributaries remain vulnerable to riverbank erosion. The proximity of the current erosion to the DTP Dyke has heightened concerns among people living in the area.
