As usual, the very onset of monsoon has in its wake brought sorrow and grief for the North-Eastern region of the country. That part of the country is at present facing the wrath of the mighty Brahmaputra and its tributaries. Vast area of the region has already been submerged resulting in loss of property, livestocks and crops worth crores of rupees. Flood menace in the North-East is a recurring event. Every year, with unfailng regularity flood hits the region, renders lakhs of people homeless, devastates agriculture and shatters the economy. Yet, over the last 50 years, no concrete step has been taken to minimise the menace. While the Centre, like a ritual, releases money from the natural calamity fund every year, the State Governments often misuse the funds. In 1998, only in Assam, devastating flood affected around 47 lakhs of population and inundated 288 thousand hectares of crop area. The total estimated loss was Rs. 1000 crore.

It’s a pity that in more than fifty years, the authorities concerned have not found a way to tame Brahmaputra and its tributaries, incurring huge loss to national exchequer. The fertile land of the region cannot produce multiple crops due to flood. The vast water resouces cannot be used to generate hydel power. The much-touted Brahmaputra Board exists only on papers and signboards.

Yet, they claim that flood control measures are on full swing in the region. Only last year, Assam Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) S. K. Sinha in his address at Assam Assembly said, "Devastations by flood have become a recurring phenomenon. My Government has been giving importance to the construction of large reservoirs on major rivers in their hilly catchments for moderation of floods in the plains. The Government in association with the Brahmaputra Board is taking measures to build multi-purpose dams across Dehang, Subansiri, Pagladia and at Tipaimukh on Barak river. Pre-construction work of Pagladia Project has started. A budget provision of Rs. 18.57 crore was made for 1998-99 for flood control. Rs. 5.10 crore was allocated by the NEC for three flood control schemes. During 1998-99 spillover component of 22 ongoing schemes and 28 new schemes have been taken up for execution. An area of 65,000 hectares will benefit from these schemes."

Again in 1999, while presenting the budget, Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Mahanta said, "The loss of property and life caused by floods and need for comprehensive flood control measures have been highlighted in this august house innumberable times in the past. Despite shortage of fund, the State Government is giving priority for flood control measures with the available resources. The State Government have prepared comprehensive plan for Rs. 500 crore incorporating various flood control schemes to be implemented during the 9th five-year Plan under the Prime Minister's package. During the current year, Rs. 7.8 crore were released under non-plan maintenance of flood control structures and Rs. 18 crore were received from the Government of India as Central loan assistance for Brahmaputra flood control measures. The Government is also implementing flood control works sponsored by NEC at an estimated cost of Rs. 5.10 crore. Our endeavour to bring a long-term solution on flood problem in the State will continue."