Assam on alert as Bhutan prepares to release excess water
What's the story
All Assam districts bordering Bhutan are on high alert after the neighboring country informed the state government regarding its decision to release excess water from the Kurichhu Hydropower Plant on Friday.
Providing details on the matter, state Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Himanta Biswa Sarma urged the district administrations to remain vigilant.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Assam, with its large network of rivers, is vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods due to its geographical and topographical location. During monsoon season, the state is flooded almost every year.
The recent monsoon brought severe rains to the Northeastern state, causing devastating floods and affecting around 4.88 lakh people.
Bhutan's release of water may aggravate the flood-ravaged state, which is still recuperating.
Details
Sarma urges officials to be on alert amid water release
Taking to Twitter, the Assam chief minister informed, "The Royal Government of Bhutan has informed us that tonight there will be an excess release of water from the Kurichu Dam."
"We have alerted our district administrations to remain vigilant and assist the people in every possible way in case the water breaches the Beki and Manas rivers," Sarma added.
Twitter Post
Twitter post by Sarma
The Royal Government of Bhutan has informed us that tonight there will be an excess release of water from the Kurichu Dam. We have alerted our district administrations to remain vigilant and assist the people in every possible way in case the water breaches the Beki and Manas…
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 13, 2023
More details
Details on Kurichhu Dam releasing excess water
The Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC), which operates the Kurichhu project in eastern Bhutan, announced in a release that it will be carrying out a reservoir scouring of the Kurichhu Hydropower Plant on Friday.
"In doing so, they will release the water stored in the reservoir between midnight and 9:00am in a controlled manner," Deccan Herald quoted the DGPC's statement as saying.
Know more
Know about worst flood-hit Assam districts
In June, the devastating flood affected nearly half a million people across 19 Assam districts.
Dhubri, Dhemaji, Barpeta, Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar, Nalbari, and Kamrup were among the worst-hit districts, according to reports.
Reports also suggested that close to 10,782 hectares of cropland were submerged under the flood water, destroying large amounts of agricultural products as well.
Further information
Delhi feeling monsoon's wrath: Further details
Separately, Delhi has also been facing the wrath of the monsoon, with the water level in the Yamuna River at the national capital's Old Railway Bridge reaching an all-time high of 208.5m on Wednesday.
The substantial downpours over the weekend left several areas in Delhi flooded, and nearly 40,000 people from low-lying areas were displaced due to the rising water levels.