EROSION BY RIVER BRAHMAPUTRA AT DIBRUGARH AND ITS REMEDIAL MEASURES

Abstract

The adverse combination of physiographical, hydrological and hydraulic features of Brahmaputra has created two major problems of floods and bank erosion in the Brahmaputra Valley. Towns situated on the banks of Brahmaputra can be subjected to ative bank erosion by the river. One such town where Brahmaputra is eroding its banks for the last 50 years in Dibrugarh. Dibrugarh Town protection works consisting of a series of impermeable and permeable spurs were constructed in a length of about 4.5 km. in 1955, after the erosion during 1954 had eatern up about one sixth of the town. The behaviour of the town protection works during the last 18 years has been described in detail and the inadequacy of the present protection system brought out. New suggestions for diversion of flow from the southern channel to central channel have been discussed and protection of town frontage by some articulated mattress has been suggested instead of repairs or extension of the present spur system. Dredging and bottom panelling could be used as supplementary measures to support the above methods. Development of the town should be restricted near the water front and should be directed to higher ground.