The West Garo Hills riverbank protection project was announced by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in an effort to address the area’s frequent flooding. In the March 4 Budget Session, Water Resources Minister Comingone Ymbon presented ideas for both short-term relief and long-term mitigation. In response to questions from lawmaker Mizanur Kazi, Minister Rymbui said that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being developed for Phulbari town’s riverside protection from Patakata village to Bhaitbari valley.
The project intends to stop the erosion that has negatively affected the area due to the Brahmaputra and Jinjiram rivers. “The Public Works Department has taken up repairs to restore eroded portions and damaged embankments caused by river Rongai, Jinjiram and also the back flow of river Brahmaputra during the monsoon season n by providing boulder sausage, earth filling with jute bags and palisading works, etc.,” said Ymbon.
In order to lessen flood damage, he emphasized how urgent it is to improve embankments and put structural measures into place. Ymbon stated that “programs such as Flood Plain Zoning and Flood Early Warning System are in the pipeline for long-term climate change prevention. One crucial element in addressing floods in the basins most susceptible to flooding is the construction of reservoirs in the upper reaches with flood moderation.”