Guwahati, 22nd August: In a proactive effort to combat the recurring challenge of seasonal floods, the Assam government has undertaken the construction of 1500 km-long embankments cum roads in the Dhemaji district. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared drone footage of the Dhemaji road on social media, highlighting the innovative initiative.
Chief Minister Sarma took to X (formally known as Twitter) on August 22, stating, “In Assam, we are undertaking an innovative effort to convert those into roads to improve connectivity”. The project involves the construction of embankment cum roads, effectively transforming flood embankments into usable roads, and enhancing connectivity and accessibility in the region.
The initiative aims to address the annual challenge posed by floods, which necessitates the establishment of relief camps and distribution centers for affected communities. With the construction of embankment cum roads, the state government seeks to not only improve connectivity but also provide better flood management infrastructure.
The flood situation in Assam is known to change rapidly due to the variable volume of rainfall received. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the recent 24-hour period has affected 88,911 people across 16 districts. Of these, 2,333 individuals are currently being accommodated in 22 relief camps, primarily in the Chirang district of western Assam.
The construction of embankment cum roads represents a forward-thinking approach to addressing the challenge of floods, offering improved infrastructure that benefits the local populace during both normal and flood-affected times.