Shillong, Mar 4: River bank protection work will be taken up to prevent erosion by Brahmaputra and Phulbari rivers in Phulbari region in West Garo Hills district, chief minister Conrad Sangma informed the state assembly on Tuesday.
The detailed project report (DPR) for river bank protection from Patakata to Bhaitbari in Phulari is under preparation, Sangma said in reply to a question.
He said PWD (Roads) had undertaken repair works, including boulder sausage walls, earth-filled jute bags, palisading works, from time to time to restore eroded portions and damaged embankments along Jinjiram and Rongai rivers.
The back flow of river Brahmaputra during the monsoon season also causes significant damage in the region.
Some new protection works have also been taken up and proposed, he said.
While assuring speedy implementation of the work, Sangma however could not provide a specific timeframe for preparation of the DPR as it’s is being prepared by multiple agencies.
He also informed that the government has conducted recent assessments of the socio economic impact of recurrent floods on the local communities.
There are programmes aimed at rebuilding and improving infrastructure, such as roads and bridges damaged by floods, he said.
The chief minister also mentioned about long-term plans to address climate change impacts.
Meghalaya state action plan on climate change is being prepared by the Meghalaya Climate Change Centre.
“Flood plain zoning, flood early warning system are programmes that are in the pipeline,” he said.
Construction of reservoir at upper reaches with flood moderation is another important component to tackle flood in most vulnerable flood basins, he added.
