Silchar's Bethukandi Embankment Yet to be Repaired Despite Severe Floods Last Year

Silchar experienced devastating floods twice in a row last year as water from the Barak river submerged many homes, leaving them uninhabitable for days. The floods were so severe that the city’s electricity was cut off for several days to prevent electrocution. Boats became the primary mode of transportation as roads became inaccessible. One of the main reasons for the floods was a breach in the Bethukandi embankment that occurred in May last year. As a result, the water level rose, and almost the entire city got inundated.

After the floods, the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, ordered a thorough investigation to uncover those responsible for the damage caused by the worst flood in Silchar’s history. The police arrested four individuals in connection with the damage to the embankment in Bethukandi. However, a year later, the embankment is yet to be repaired, leaving the city at risk of another flooding disaster.

In a recent cabinet meeting held in Barak Valley, a special package of Rs. 59 crores was allocated for the repair of the Bethukandi embankment, but the work has not yet started. The rainy season is expected to begin next month, and there is a high possibility of the city’s homes being inundated once again.

Cachar Youth Congress working president Raja Laskar visited Bethukandi and expressed his frustration stating that no house was left untouched by the floods last year. Speaking to reporters he said, “Despite several visits by the CM, Ministers, MLAs, clubs, and NGOs during the floods, no initiative was taken to repair the embankment. If the embankment is not repaired soon, than the upcoming floods will be more severe than the last, and every house in Silchar will be affected. I suggest that the upcoming flood could be considered “political made” if the government fails to take immediate action.”