SHILLONG: Rajabala MLA Azad Zaman has suggested that reviving the Rongai Valley Medium irrigation project is the ultimate solution to deal with the perennial problem of floods in the low-lying areas of Garo Hills.
The statement came from the MLA as the plains in the region reels under severe floods, which has affected thousands of people.
Stating that incessant rain and backflow of water from the Brahmaputra and its tributaries is causing the floods, Zaman said, “It can be checked by reviving the Rongai Valley Medium irrigation project and the 4-5 projects that are under it”.
“If we really built or restructure the construction of these four or five embankments under the project, I think we can stop the backflow,” the MLA opined.
Pointing out at the expenditure of crores of rupees every year by the central and the state government as relief during floods, Zaman said, “Instead of spending crores on relief materials annually, if we revive or rebuild the embankments, it will be cost-effective and also save the people from floods”.
Demdema, Selsella and Tikrikilla blocks have the highest production of high-breed variety of rice in the state and if supported, it can even feed the entire population of Meghalaya, the MLA said.
“But now, all the plantation is submerged and if measures are taken to build the embankments, a lot of farmers will be spared of the hardships brought in by floods annually,” he reasoned.
He further urged the state government to provide one-month gratuitous relief to the flood-affected people in order to support the farmers’ livelihood, which has already been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
