Unusual waves of river Siang have been creating serious erosion at Borguli and Serum areas of Mebo Sub-division in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, while it is posing threat to wet paddy cultivation sites at Borguli and Serum.
The high tides of the mighty river continued for the last three weeks are posing serious erosion threat at lower portions of Mebo sub-division on its left bank.
The riverine villages situated near the confluence of Siang and Sibiya rivers under tremendous threat of flood and erosion by the rivers, but the authorities concerned have allegedly not taken any effective measure yet to mitigate the situation.
The local villagers say that surging waters of river Siang have submerged cultivation sites at Namsing and Mer-Gadum areas in Lower Mebo every year.
The constant erosion and recurrence of flood by the rivers have been adversely affecting the rural economy of the area for a decade, but the Government has not initiated any effective measure to mitigate the situation. In addition to flood and erosion problems, the rural farmers this year have faced drought situation.
“Our villagers are helplessly observing the natural catastrophe like flood and erosion for the last few years, but no effective anti-erosion measure has been initiated so far. The river Siang with unusual tides has eroded more than 10 acres of grassland and plantation at Borguli, while it has eroded human habitation at Serum village,” said Horinath Tayeng, a public leader of Borguly Wednesday evening.
Tayeng informed that at least 10 families of Serum village have already been shifted to safer location due to erosion by the Siang.
On the other hand, the drought-hit farm families have demanded the State Government to assess the loss and grant special relief package besides giving scope of alternative cultivation.
Meanwhile, local MLA-cum-Arunachal Chief Minister’s adviser Lombo Tayeng has visited the drought-hit farming sites in Mebo and took stock of the disparaging situation.
He has placed the report before the State Assembly and moved the Government for compensatory cultivation scheme for the drought-affected farmers, who survive on agriculture and allied activities.