Fresh erosion hits Dibrugarh, locals to be evacuated soon

DIBRUGARH: Fresh erosion caused by the Brahmaputra was witnessed in the Koilaghat area of Dibrugarh on Saturday amid the ongoing work being carried out by the water resources department to prevent the disaster.
The officials said the erosion took place on a new stretch along the river bank, nearly 50 metres downstream, where the area was hit just a week ago.
Dibrugarh deputy commissioner Biswajit Pegu rushed to the area to assess the situation and directed the officials to mobilise men and machineries to prevent the river from gobbling up the land. The stretch hit by the fresh round of erosion was already fortified by geo-bags, which were laid a year ago. Considering the emergency situation, Pegu also ordered officials to shift the local residents living along the banks near the Dibrugarh Town Protection (DTP) dyke to a safer location.
"The erosion is taking place on the soil accumulated on top of the geo-bags. Earlier Type-A geo-bags were used that were smaller in size, measuring 0.75 metre to 1 metre.
"After due consultation, I have directed officials to use mega bags and Type-C geo-bags, which are much bigger in size and quite effective against erosion. We are confident that these measures will successfully control the erosion. Moreover, a permanent solution will be taken up to control the erosion along the Brahmaputra before the monsoon," Pegu said.