Gogoi to take up Bhutan dam issue with MEA

Guwahati, Aug 19: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is leaving for New Delhi today and is expected to raise the Bhutan water issue with the External Affairs ministry.

After the recent floods, the lower Assam had been further devastated by the water released from Kurishu dam in Bhutan.

Official sources here alleged that the water was suddenly released from the dam without any prior notice to the Assam government.

''A four ft tall high wave of water stretching almost 30 km wide flooded the area completely,'' sources added.

It had happened twice this year with the last being on August 16 when the water was released because the Kurishu reservoir had reached a breaking point leaving an untold misery on the people.

''The matter has to be routed through the MEA,'' Mr Gogoi said as the state found no answer to this catastrophic situation.

Thousands of houses were washed away with the flood water marooning hundreds of people within seven hours,'' Revenue Minister Bhumidhar Burman said.

Heavy flow of water from the Bhutan hills to parts of lower Assam had caused a breach in the Narayanguri embankment at Baska, the Barapeta Distict Commissioner said.

''The waters have overtopped NH 31 at various places, while it was more than four feet below waters between Bhawanipur and Howli,'' he said adding that the movement of heavy vehicles was stopped and restrictions were enforced on the movement of light vehicles.

The excess flow of water from Bhutan had led to rise in the water levels of Brahmaputra, Manah, Beki and Puthimari rivers at various places in lower Assam.

The recurrence of such an incident had now become a major cause of concern for Assam.

''We want the MEA to ask Bhutan government to release the water in a phased manner and to inform beforehand so that we can prepare ourselves,'' Mr Gogoi stated.

UNI