Regulated release of water from Bhutan's Kurichhu dam ensured no severe flooding': Assam CM Sarma

Unlike in the past,  this monsoon season, release of water from the Kurichhu Hydropower Plant was regulated and controlled, Asaam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Talking to reporters at Assam House here, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma disclosed that his government had urged the Bhutan government to release water from the dam in a 'controlled way' in the morning hours, instead of night.

The CM said coordinated efforts with authorities in Bhutan have ensured no flash floods in villages along the Bhutan foothills in Assam.

Several rivers in Assam were in spate on Friday, including the Beki, which emanates from Bhutan and flows through Assam's Baksa and Barpeta districts.

The state government had sounded a high alert on Thursday night after the Bhutan Government informed that there would be the release of water from the reservoir.

The CM further said that the government has taken up flood mitigation projects like channeling excess water from the Brahmaputra River into wetlands.

"Additional water from the Brahmaputra River has been drained into the Deepor Beel wetland," Sarma said, adding that measures like building road cum embankments have also prevented breaches.

He revealed that the idea to channelise excess water from the river into the Deepor Beel has been mooted by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

(With UNI inputs)