Dibrugarh initiates flood mitigation measures four months ahead of monsoon

Dibrugarh: District administration has initiated its flood mitigation roadmap nearly four months before the monsoon’s typical arrival.

A high-level coordination meeting was held on Friday in the conference hall at the DC’s office to fast-track flood control projects and ensure that the city is “flood-ready” by the time the first rain hits.


The meeting, presided over by DMC commissioner Jay Vikas, brought together top officials to address critical bottlenecks in the city’s drainage network. The discussions prioritised the acceleration of drain desiltation, the enhancement of existing water-exit routes, and the relocation of utility infrastructure, such as electric poles, which currently impede the expansion of several key arterial drains.

By starting in early Feb, the administration aims to avoid the last-minute rush that often leads to incomplete desiltation. “We still have four months before the monsoon reaches its peak, and this is our golden window. Our focus is on ensuring that every major drain and culvert is functional and unobstructed, well before June. By coordinating with the power department and PWD now, we are eliminating delays that usually occur when the rains begin,” Vikas said.

A recurring challenge in Dibrugarh’s urban planning has been the overlap of utility services. To address this, officials from the power department were directed to work alongside the Public Works Department (PWD) to clear roadblocks.

Echoing the commitment to a flood-resilient city, DMC mayor Saikat Patra highlighted the importance of inter-departmental synergy.

“Flood mitigation is a collective responsibility. We have to work as a single unit to ensure that the residents of Dibrugarh do not face the hardships urban flooding and waterlogging cause this year,” Patra said.

The meeting was attended by zilla parishad CEO Ranjit Konwar, additional district commissioner Pranjal Baruah, and revenue circle officers from both Dibrugarh East and West. The officials have been tasked with monitoring the progress of ward-level drainage improvements on a weekly basis. The administration has made it clear that contractors and department heads will be held accountable for any delays.