Doomdooma: As the monsoon approaches, concerns have emerged in Hatighuli under the Dibru-Saikhowa region of Assam’s Tinsukia district, where local organisations have criticised the State Water Resources Department for what they describe as “superficial and ineffective” anti-erosion measures.
The issue centres on the limited and poorly planned deployment of geo-bags along vulnerable riverbank stretches, which residents and experts fear may not withstand the currents of the Brahmaputra River, putting lives, homes, and farmland at risk.
The disputed work, carried out near Kenopsa (also locally known as Canopus or Kenopus), has led to dissatisfaction among erosion-affected communities who have experienced repeated land loss over the years.
Locals allege that the current intervention lacks both scientific backing and the scale required to withstand the river’s intensity, especially during peak monsoon flows.
A delegation from the Dibrugarh-Tinsukia District Flood and Erosion Prevention Struggle Forum, led by its president Binod Kedia, on Sunday inspected the site and assessed the situation.
The Forum termed the initiative an “eyewash,” warning that relying on a handful of geo-bags to resist the Brahmaputra’s force “borders on absurdity.”
Members cautioned that such measures are likely to be washed away once water levels rise, making the intervention ineffective.
The Forum reiterated its long-standing demand for a comprehensive and scientific solution to the crisis. It pointed to the altered course of the Dibang River originating from Arunachal Pradesh as a key factor contributing to erosion in the Hatighuli region.
According to the group, unless the Dibang is redirected to its original channel or effectively managed, temporary measures like geo-bags will continue to fail.
Adding to the concern, local residents have alleged possible involvement of vested interests among certain officials, contractors, and political actors, suggesting that the persistence of the erosion issue may benefit select groups.
While such claims remain unverified, they reflect growing frustration and mistrust among affected communities. The Forum has urged the government to act urgently by implementing durable, scientifically designed solutions, including reinforced embankments and structural interventions such as geo-tube spurs. With river levels already beginning their seasonal rise, any delay could lead to further erosion in the coming months.
Hatighuli, situated in the erosion-prone Dibru-Saikhowa landscape, has long been affected by the Brahmaputra’s shifting channels, heavy sediment load, and seasonal surges. Decades of erosion have repeatedly displaced families and damaged agricultural land, highlighting the need for long-term, sustainable solutions.
As pressure mounts, the Forum has said that symbolic actions will not be sufficient.
The people of Hatighuli now look to the authorities for decisive, evidence-based intervention before the monsoon leads to further erosion.