Last Updated on: April 01, 2022

Objective of the Department

The objectives of the Barpeta Water Resources Division are –

• 1) To control riverbank erosion
• 2) To prevent flood inundation
• 3) Drainage development
• 4) Land reclamation and river channelization
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Functions of the Department

Functions of the Barpeta Water Resources Division are –

1. Preliminary investigation, survey and studies for preparation of memo of the works.
2. Preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Anti-erosion / town protection, flood prevention, drainage development, land reclamation & river channelization schemes.
3. Take up new marginal embankment, raising and strengthening of weak and deplorable embankment, anti-erosion / town protection schemes, drainage development as well as land reclamation & river channelization schemes.
4. Take up execution of immediate temporary and permanent breach closing works, recoupment of damaged section of embankment, maintenance of the embankment, identification of the vulnerable reach .flood fighting works, patrolling, collection and transmission of water level data.
5.  

Acts and rules the department implements:

Assam Embankment & drainage act, Embankment maintenance manual, Assam Financial Rule are implemented by the department.

Annual plan budget of the department:

There is no separate Budget provision is made for Disaster Management works. The works under S.D.R.F. are taken up after their sanctioning from the Revenue Department. Periodic maintenance of the embankment is done from M&R fund and the flood fighting works are done from fund released under flood drill. To take up emergency flood fighting works Department has approved the flood drill estimate for an amount Rs. 58.08 Lakh for the year 2020-21.

History of disasters faced by the department:

The River Brahmaputra, one of the largest rivers of the world and its tributaries namely Beki, Manash, Pahumara, Kaldia, Nokhanda, Morachaulkhowa, Bhellengi, Deojaraetc are flowing through the Barpeta district of Assam. Flood and erosion are the major problem caused by these rivers in the district.

The tributaries of River Brahmaputra ,flowing through the Barpeta district, have originated from Bhutan, Due to heavy rainfall occurred in the upper reaches and excess and sudden water released from dams constructed in Bhutan, these tributaries carry a large amount of sediment load , floating debris along with flood water . These sediment loads are deposited on the river bed and changes the morphology of the river and accordingly causes severe problem of flood and erosion at the downstream areas.

The breaches are occurred in the embankment due to overtopping of the flood water and the bank erosion. These beaches result inundation of a huge area of Barpeta and its nearby districts. As a result loss of human life, domestic as well as wild animal, damage to the public and private property, crops have occurred. Since 2016, 13nos of breach have occurred in the district. Details of the breaches are enclosed in annexureII.

Provision of fund during last three years for responding to any of the disasters:

Periodic maintenance of the embankment is done from M&R fund while the breach closing works are taken up under S.D.R.F and the flood fighting works are done from fund released under flood drill.

Executive instructions or circulars issued to cope with disasters:

To cope with flood of erosion management activity during the period of flood Barpeta W.R. Division has followed the Assam embankment Maintenance Manual. Bapeta W.R. Division also followed the instruction /circular issued by the District Administration to cope with flood.

Details of mock drills or special programmes organized:

Once the breach has occurred in the embankment the information is sent to the District administration/ higher authority.

Committees or user groups formed at the village/grass-root level:

The possibility of formation of local vigilant body constituted with the local leaders for obtaining necessary advice for proper up-keep of the embankment as well as to avail of requisite help and co-operation against probable sabotage by miscreants during flood times has been examined.

Training programmes organized for the departmental staff with special reference to preparedness for disaster management:

The officers are sent to training organized by the district administration and SDMA. Awareness program for field staff is launched

Awareness generation programmes organized:

Awareness program for field staff is launched. The officers are also sent to training organized by the district administration. At field level, Awareness program for local people will be launched to ensure safety of the embankment.

Research or Impact assessment/evaluation studies conducted:

For disaster management work no Impact assessment/evaluation studies conducted by Barpeta W.R. Division. The Water Resources Department has conducted some research or impact assessment /evaluation studies for the state of Assam by different institution and committee set up by the Govt from time to time.