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

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Bhutan Kurichhu dam has not led to severe flooding along the villages in Assam's Baksa and Chirang districts. This has been made possible following regulated and controlled release of water from Kurichhu Hydropower Plant. Speaking to reporters at Assam House here on Saturday, Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma disclosed that the Government of Assam had urged the Bhutan Government to release water from the dam in a 'controlled way' in the morning hours, instead of at night.

The Chief Minister said coordinated efforts with authorities in Bhutan have ensured no flash flood 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 release of water from the reservoir.

Sarma further said that the government has taken up flood mitigation projects like channelling excess water from the Brahmaputra river into wetlands. «Additional water from the Brahmaputra river has been drained into the Deepor Beel wetland,» the Chief Minister said, adding that measures like building road cum embankments have also prevented breaches. The Chief Minister revealed that the idea to channelise excess water from the river into the Deepor Beel has been mooted by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah.