Were human folly and ignorance responsible for the Beki, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, changing course and displacing thousands of people and a state highway in Lower Assam? 

This question is being asked as 1,31,041 people across 222 villages in Kalgachia and the adjoining revenue circles have been marooned by the river.

The roots of the problem go back two decades to 2004, according to the Integrated Flood and Erosion Management Plan prepared in 2022 by the Assam State Water Resources department, supported by World Bank.

2004 was the year when the Beki started to carry 80 per cent of the silt load of two rivers — itself and the Manas, which flows into the Brahmaputra.

“Since the Beki river is carrying almost all the discharge of a huge catchment area, its flood hazard became severe day by day. The river’s bank is being eroded during its meandering course through Barpeta and Baksa districts. There have been a number of devastating floods starting from 2004 due to release of excess water from the Kurichu Dam in Bhutan. This has created severe flood havoc including erosion in almost all the (river’s) reaches,” stated the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the water resources department.

As a result, the DPR stated, the Beki river which was flowing westward in its upstream course and eastward downstream, changed its path. This caused severe erosion in the Manas National Park upstream, which has become a threat to the riparian area.

Member of the Assam legislative assembly, Sherman Ali, blamed the lack of initiative and coordination between the water resources department, the Barpeta district administration and the public works department. 

“Floods devastate the region every year. The district administration could have exercised the emergency provision and procured the materials to urgently protect the villages and state infrastructure. However, no such tenders have been issued,” rued Ali.

On the other hand, locals have been demanding attention to the issue. “The repair works have to be done in the dry season. Yet, the vicious cycle repeats every year. People have been demanding erosion control measures. However, there is scant regard for our plight. Now, a major state highway project has been partly destroyed as a result,” said Mamun Ali.

Chandana Barua, the Circle officer for Kalgachia, however said repair works are currently under way. “Beki is an unpredictable river. With the Brahmaputra overflowing, the problem has been exacerbated. We are carrying out relief and rescue efforts,” added Barua.

A senior Assam State Disaster Management Agency official however said the area in question has not been studied well. “During the monsoon, the Beki swells up and is hard to predict. The soil is porous, with subterranean flows which further induces erosion like the Bhabar belt, south of the Himalayan foothills. Before planning any infrastructure like bridges and highways, the area should have been studied. But studies unfortunately are really scant. Hence, there is a larger incidence of disasters in the Beki watershed,” added the official on the condition of anonymity.