Karbi Langpi dam posing threat to public

Diphu, September 9, 2014: The 100 MW Karbi Langpi Hydroelectric Project located at the high altitude of Baithalangso under Hamren subdivision in west Karbi Anglong is posing a serious threat to the local population due to the massive soil erosion in the catchment area of the main feeder.

People in the locality said that the considerable extent of deforestation in the higher ridges where the principle river Karbi Langpi flows from has precipitated the calamity. They blame the Forest department (Hamren division) for not taking up large-scale plantation and conservative measures in the catchment of the river before actual commissioning of the project, although crores of rupees were allocated by the Power sector to the Forest department.

Although the project authority is trying to prevent wearing down of the soil with bamboo guard walls and sandbags, this has proved to be counter-productive. The water level has gone above the normal limit due to accumulation of a huge amount of debris. If the authority choses to release excess water from the dam, thousands of tonnes of mud, stone and other wastes could create an unprecedented catastrophe in the low-lying areas.

Source: Assam Tribune