Dibrugarh: The Brahmaputra River eroded approximately 70 metres of land along the riverbank in Dibrugarh's Mohanaghat area over a five-hour period on Tuesday evening.
The erosion, which occurred between 4 pm and 9 pm, caused concern among residents of nearby riverside villages.
The district administration deployed machinery to the site, while the Water Resources Department began dumping geo bags filled with sand and silt from boats to contain the erosion. Additional Deputy Commissioner Deba Narayan Hazarika is overseeing the operation.
Speaking on Wednesday, Hazarika said the erosion had been largely brought under control. "The erosion has been almost controlled. We are using geo bags to stem the erosion," he said. He attributed the erosion to a drop in the river's water level following the recent spate.
Villagers continue to remain on alert as the river flows close to the eroded bank. The administration has asked residents to report any fresh signs of bank slippage. The current containment measures are expected to continue for the next few days until the riverbank is stabilised.
District authorities said they are monitoring the situation round the clock and have kept additional earth-moving equipment on standby.
"We don't know what will happen to us. The erosion caused by the Brahmaputra has become a serious threat to our lives. The government has taken measures using geo-bag technology, but we are unsure how effective it will be in controlling the erosion," said local resident Dev Chouhan.
He further said that the river has been steadily advancing towards the village over the years and warned that continued erosion could wipe out the entire area if effective protective measures are not implemented at the earliest.
Mizoram signs deal for its first four-star hotel. Here's why it matters