Dibrugarh riverbank erosion threatens Town Protection dyke

Rapid riverbank erosion at Thakurbari in Maijan, Dibrugarh district, has brought the affected stretch to within about 10 metres of the Dibrugarh Town Protection (DTP) Dyke, a key embankment meant to reduce flood risk for the town and surrounding areas.

Erosion has continued for nearly a week

Residents say the erosion has been ongoing for almost a week, with noticeable loss of land along the bank. In recent days, the eroded area has shifted closer to the dyke, raising concerns that the river may enter the zone of active weakening if the process continues.

The DTP Dyke is built to act as a barrier when water levels rise in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries. People in Thakurbari and nearby areas say the monsoon season makes such stretches more vulnerable, and the current proximity of erosion to the embankment has made the situation more worrying for daily life in the area.

Authorities use geo-bags as immediate support

The Water Resources Department has deployed geo-bags along the vulnerable portion to help control the erosion and reinforce the bank. However, residents remain unsure about how effective this step will be, citing past cases where similar interventions did not stop the river from moving closer.

Local residents have urged the Water Resources Department and the district administration to inspect the erosion site and take immediate protective actions. They want continuous monitoring of the affected stretch, a check on the structural condition of the dyke, and reinforcement at points that appear most at risk. They have also asked authorities to consider other anti-erosion measures if geo-bags are not sufficient.

One local resident described the concern linked to the Brahmaputra’s geography in Dibrugarh, saying that any breach near the dyke could have serious consequences. With the riverbank reported to be close to the embankment, residents are pressing for stepped-up preventive work before erosion advances further.