Tengakhat Faces Severe Erosion Threat; Raha Also at Risk

A growing crisis is unfolding in the Pandhuwa area of Tengakhat in the Duliajan constituency, as rising waters of the Burhi Dihing River have triggered aggressive erosion, swallowing land and homes, and instilling fear among the residents. Each year, several bighas of land and vital public infrastructure are washed away, yet residents say their repeated cries for help have been met with government silence. Locals claim that authorities have failed to take any concrete or permanent steps to address the worsening situation.

The situation has become so dire that most of the village is now submerged beneath the river. With the embankment separating the river from the town of Tengakhat now only 30 meters away from submerging, locals fear a catastrophe if no action is taken. “If this 30 meters is also submerged, the entire Tengakhat region will be in danger,” warned one resident. “We urge the government to come, observe the situation themselves, and take immediate action.”

The community has been actively raising concerns for the last five years, appealing to MLA Terash Gowalla, MPs, and district authorities to address the issue. But despite promises, locals say there has been no visible progress. “The MLA talks about building roads and bridges, but what’s the use if our homes are being eaten away by the river?” asked another resident. “We want the government to prioritise protecting our lives first.”

Residents are also disillusioned with political leaders who have benefited from their votes but have not prioritised the safety of the region. One villager specifically called out former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, claiming that despite being supported by this region, his administration failed to provide the help they desperately needed.

Residents are not just seeking short-term fixes. They are demanding scientifically backed, permanent solutions such as the use of porcupine structures and improved embankments to prevent further damage. “This is not the time for symbolic gestures. We need serious, technical interventions,” one villager emphasised. The erosion is not only destroying land but also livelihoods, community infrastructure, and the very sense of safety in the region.

As the monsoon intensifies, the people of Pandhuwa live in constant fear, watching their land disappear inch by inch. 

While Tengakhat’s crisis demands urgent attention, similar concerns are emerging in other parts of Assam. In Raha, located in Nagaon district, heavy flooding from the Kalang river has triggered serious erosion near the Chaparmukh–Haibargaon railway bridge. Residents report that recently built spars and gabion structures have already begun to collapse. The threat of embankment failure looms large, with fears that Raha and parts of Nagaon and Morigaon could face massive flooding if the river swells again.

In both Tengakhat and Raha, the message from residents is clear: erosion is not a seasonal nuisance; it is a persistent, destructive force that demands immediate and long-term government intervention. Until that happens, these communities remain vulnerable, bearing the brunt of nature’s fury and administrative neglect.

Also Read: Titaimari River Erosion Worsens, Villagers Await Real Action