Floods and riverbank erosion have emerged as central issues in Dibrugarh ahead of the Assam Assembly polls 2026, with residents warning that the Brahmaputra’s shifting course is eating into the city’s landmass and demanding a permanent solution. Local voices and recent reports say unabated erosion has pushed the river closer to inhabited areas, intensifying fears as election campaigning begins.
“This year, floods and erosion will be the main issues in the polls. Continuous erosion near Dibrugarh town will be the major issue, and the people of the city need a permanent solution for this problem,” said Ranjan Sharma, a Dibrugarh resident, reflecting widespread concern among voters.
Authorities and civic records show erosion and flood-control work in the district stretches back decades. Since 1956, measures in and around Dibrugarh have included land dykes, stone and timber spurs, a 10‑km dyke from Mijan Mothola to Mohanaghat and Bogibeel, and a 22‑km drain cutting across the city, but residents say these steps have not halted the river’s encroachment.
The Maijan area has faced severe erosion since last year, and the problem resurfaced on Saturday, heightening anxiety among locals. “The Water Resources Department immediately deployed geo-bags, but it is not enough to control the marauding erosion by the Brahmaputra river,” said Raju Chetri of Maijan. He added, “Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan has failed to address the problem. We need a permanent and scientific way to solve the perennial problem.”
The environmental crisis is now entwined with politics: Mainak Patra of the AJP is contesting the Dibrugarh seat against BJP incumbent Prasanta Phukan, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term. Analysts say candidate selection is strategic: “Mainak Patra is a Bengali and has been fielded from the Dibrugarh seat to pull Bengali votes. Bengali votes form the deciding factor in Dibrugarh, which has been with the BJP since 2006. Despite this, this is the first time that a Bengali candidate has been fielded from the seat by any major party,” one political analyst observed.
As voters weigh local survival against party loyalty, residents insist that whichever government wins must prioritize long-term, scientific river management and flood-control measures to protect homes, livelihoods and the future of Dibrugarh.
Original Source: https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/assam-floods-and-erosion-emerge-as-decisive-issues-in-dibrugarh-elections
Category: Assam News
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Publish Date: 2026-03-24 09:47:00
