Guwahati/Hailakandi, September 16: The North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) has reported extensive riverbank erosion in Assam’s major river basins, warning of continued threats to agriculture, settlements and infrastructure. Its study on bankline migration of the Brahmaputra, Barak and selected tributaries found that the two river systems eroded 67,580.55 hectares of land, including 30,289.45 hectares of arable land, between 2016 and 2024.
Erosion peaked during 2018-2020, when 26,627.89 hectares were lost, including over 10,400 hectares of farmland. Agricultural losses were especially severe in Nalbari (80.89 per cent of affected arable land in the district context), Goalpara (70.49 per cent), Morigaon (63.34 per cent) and Barpeta (62.44 per cent). NESAC noted a relative decline in intensity between 2022 and 2024 but stressed that the problem persists.
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The centre has recommended targeted erosion-control measures in identified hotspot districts and integrated river-basin management covering both main channels and tributaries.
On the ground, the crisis is acute in southern Hailakandi. Residents of Killarbak village say the Dhaleshwari river continues to swallow land daily. At least four houses and stretches of farmland have already been washed away, affecting 15 families. The erosion now threatens a railway bridge and track in the same area where the line collapsed about two years ago.
Villagers, including those who have lost entire homes, have appealed for urgent government intervention to protect remaining houses, livelihoods and the vital Assam-Mizoram rail link. Local accounts describe a sense of constant uncertainty as the riverbank keeps collapsing.
The findings underscore the long-term challenge of riverine erosion in Assam and the need for sustained, science-based protective measures.