Dhansiri River Erosion Ravages Golaghat, Villages on the Brink

The swelling Dhansiri River continues to unleash destruction across several areas, and severe erosion has now taken on alarming proportions in parts of the Golaghat district, threatening critical infrastructure and daily life.

In Khumtai Legislative Assembly Constituency, the connecting road between Moinapara and No. 1 Kaibarta Gaon is on the verge of total collapse due to relentless riverbank erosion. This vital stretch, serving as the sole access route for nearly five villages and crucial agricultural lands, now lies precariously in the river’s grip.

Residents allege that a substandard road embankment project completed just last year at a cost of approximately ₹70 lakh has failed disastrously in the face of the first major flood of the season. “The road was constructed with poor-quality materials. We had raised concerns, but no one listened,” said a local villager, pointing fingers at the contractor responsible.

With the erosion intensifying, the road has almost completely caved in, cutting off essential connectivity and leaving hundreds of families stranded. Farmers and daily commuters alike are now grappling with extreme difficulty, as the washed-away road was their only lifeline to nearby markets, schools, and healthcare facilities.

Locals are demanding immediate intervention and an inquiry into the construction work, stressing that the disaster was preventable. “It’s not just nature. This is man-made negligence. We are paying the price for a contractor’s shortcuts,” another resident lamented.

The situation continues to worsen as the river shows no signs of retreat. Without swift action, both the road and the livelihoods of the people it supports may be lost entirely.

In Numaligarh, the Dhansiri River has now assumed a destructive course, with relentless erosion swallowing vast stretches of farmland and homesteads, displacing numerous families.

Though floodwaters have receded, erosion has intensified along the riverbanks, posing a grave threat to several villages in the area. The worst-affected localities include Borgoria and Ahom Chuk in Morangi, where the river’s aggressive currents have already consumed large portions of farmland and residential land.

For generations, residents of this region have faced the relentless advance of the Dhansiri River. Yet, the current wave of erosion is one of the most destructive in recent memory. As many as 70 to 80 families are now under immediate threat, with some already having lost their homes to the river.

Despite the scale of the crisis, locals allege that the Water Resources Department has shown no sign of urgency. No erosion-control measures have been taken so far, leaving residents angry and anxious.

“The government must act now. If nothing is done soon, we will have nowhere to go,” said one affected resident.

Villagers are urging the authorities to intervene immediately with sustainable erosion-control solutions to prevent further destruction and protect what remains of their homes and livelihoods.

Also Read: Villagers Use Bamboo Porcupines to Fight River Erosion in Assam’s Udalguri