Severe erosion caused by flooding in the Siang River has damaged Wet Rice Cultivation (WRC) fields and other agricultural land in Borguli village under Mebo Sub-Division of East Siang district, raising concerns over the livelihoods of farming families in the area.
A local team inspected the affected fields in Borguli on Friday to assess the extent of the damage. Monggu Banggo-I ZPM Bapiyang Tayeng, accompanied by WRD Mebo Sub-Division Assistant Engineer Bani Langkam and Borguli Gaon Burahs Nogen Yirang, Tokong Tayeng and Bidesor Perme, visited the erosion-hit areas.
During the inspection, the team found that portions of Otil Tayeng’s WRC fields had already been washed away by the river. Agricultural land belonging to Aki Tayeng, Golen Tayeng, Odan Tayeng, Joito Tayeng, Jin Tayeng and several other farmers is also facing the threat of further erosion.
Residents said recurring floods and changes in the course of the Siang River have already destroyed large stretches of cash-crop plantations, bamboo groves and fertile village land. The erosion has now reached WRC fields, which are an important source of food and income for several families in Borguli.
The WRD official and the local Panchayati Raj Institution representative assessed the affected areas as part of preparations for a detailed report to be submitted to the concerned authorities.
Farmer Otil Tayeng said his agricultural land is the main source of livelihood for his family and also helps meet the educational expenses of his children.
“The erosion has already reached my standing paddy field, and the remaining portion could be swallowed by the river at any time,” he said.
Affected villagers have appealed to both the state and central governments for immediate intervention, compensation for their losses and construction of durable flood-control and erosion-protection structures. They have also sought a long-term solution to prevent further damage to farmland, standing crops and property.
The erosion problem extends beyond Borguli, with several villages in the Monggu Banggo area of Mebo Sub-Division, including Namsing, Seram, Kongkul, Mer and Gadum, reportedly facing serious erosion along the Siang River. Residents of these areas have also been seeking government intervention to address the recurring problem.
Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng said a proposal for a mega flood-control project along the riverbank from Sigar to Mer village is still awaiting sanction from the Central Government.
“Without a mega project, it will not be possible to effectively mitigate erosion along the left bank of the Siang River under Mebo Sub-Division. Small-scale projects implemented at scattered locations will not resolve the concerns of the affected people,” Tayeng said.
The MLA said he had raised the difficulties faced by affected communities with both the state and central governments. He expressed hope that the state government under Chief Minister Pema Khandu would consider the needs of people in the Mebo Assembly Constituency.
Tayeng also pointed out that several villages in Lower Mebo have already suffered damage to village areas, schools, healthcare facilities, roads, electricity infrastructure, farmland and other agricultural assets because of river erosion.
He urged the authorities to take up comprehensive flood-control and erosion-protection measures to protect the affected villages and prevent further loss of farmland, infrastructure and livelihood resources.
