[Assam] Floods

Wed Jul 4 17:59:51 PDT 2007

Now, what you say here sounds pretty logical, C'da.

>*** That was determined by some IAS babus,

Actually, what I used to hear many years ago (the thinking could have
changed by now) was that as the Brahmaputra is one of the most
'unmanageable' rivers. The force and energy from this river is multiples of
other large rivers. The other was that the quantity of sediments is 3 or 4
times similar rivers because of the rough terrain the river meanders thru.

So, any dredging would (I imagine) have to be for vast stretches, and
repeated numerous times a year.

Add to all this, the flood control dept(used to be one of the most corrupt
dept) claiming for dredges never undertaken or basically short-changing the
exchequer.

It could be that dredging (if done as you suggest) might really work. And
the alternatives are just horrible. I agree the Govt. must really tackle
this with a lot of seriousness.

In that sense, I am glad the CM was asked questions (hopefully point blank)
on the flood situation.

Hopefully, this issue (of floods) hasn't become important just because these
days a city like Guwahati too faces floods. The state is hurting more
because of the flood situation in the rural/agricultural areas and every
year vast numbers in the rural sectors get affected  - and sadly, have very
little recourse.

--Ram

On 7/4/07, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
>  Ram:
>
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> >I have heard dredging doesn't work,
>
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> *** That was determined by some IAS babus, who were intimidated by the
> thought of  finding a place for the dredged silt.
>
>
> US corps of engineers routinely dredge the major waterways to keep the
> navigational channels open, including the one on our back-yard, the Missouri
> and its sister  river, the  Mississippi.
>
>
> Some are concerned about undermining the foundations of bridge piers. But
> that is not a serious problem.  Almost all the major bridges built  earlier
> than  say ten years back, would have little to worry, since the silt that
> has settled since then, when dredged, still will reach the levels at which
> they were cast. And that alone will carry huge amounts of water more than
> the rivers do now.
>
>
> But if some IAS-wallas expect to dredge without having to remove  some of
> the material a short distance away, obviously are expecting miracles, like
> they are used to.  There is no free lunch. Question is how much the
> alternative's cost?
>
>
> Once the waterways are dredged, and allowed to flow with less resistance,
> the weak banks would also encounter less erosive pressures and erosion will
> become less virulent.
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> At 12:21 PM -0600 7/4/07, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>
> C'da
>
>
>
> >*** Yes, you are off base here Ram :-).
>
>
>
> I was actually talking about the Brahmaputra itself. I am wondering how
> can human intervention change the course of the river? say in a short time
> span (10-50 years). I have heard dredging doesn't work, dams don't either
> and would have thought, that one could put up embankments in one place, but
> the river would find some other place (weak).
>
> The river wins in the end :)
>
>
>
> About Guwahati itself - I agree. A lot of the planning is faulty planning,
> misspent/misdirected resources, corruption, and a general lack of or
> indifference of civic sense among the citizenry.
>
>
>
> The recent move by the city to ban all plastic bags from stores -because
> the bags are thrown out by consumers (actually thrown out - anywhere outside
> their well-kept homes) clog the drains - causing floods is good.
>
> But it is like putting the cart before the horse. Bad or no drainage may
> be amajor problem, but the City's floods seem to have a host of other
> reasons as well.
>
>
>
> --Ram
>
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> On 7/4/07,* Chan Mahanta* <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
> >
>
> IMHO, the annual floods are are going to happen every year. I don't think
> we can increase/or decrease floods by human action.
>
> The river will find the weakest embankments to crest, and will do so.
>
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> *** Yes, you are off base here Ram :-).
>
>
>
>
> There is an enormous  amount that could be done and not a moment too soon.
>
>
>
>
> BTW, Guwahati flooding is entirely a man-made phenomenon.  It is the
> Indian style of non-planning, uneducated citizenry and dysfunctional govt.
> bodies that has caused it. To resolve the problem, much that was done to
> desecrate the city has to be undone. And it will need foresight, political
> will and resources. The last could be generated. The first is widely
> available. But the the one in the middle is the weak link.
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> At 11:40 AM -0600 7/4/07, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>
> Hi KJD,
>
>
>
> >In my considered opinion,the problem of flood is the most >menacing
> natural calamity,experienced by the state every year >particularly since the
> great earthquake of 1950
>
>
>
> I agree, this is a much bigger and affecting more people than Engg.
> colleges. And this is a problem that happens every year.
>
>
>
> Yes, Umesh did report "after the negative reception he received at Boston
> conference ". Don't know exactly what that means - but will just leave it at
> that,
>
>
>
> Regarding the annual floods: Here are thoughts (and I could be totally off
> base in my assumptions)
>
>
>
> IMHO, the annual floods are are going to happen every year. I don't think
> we can increase/or decrease floods by human action.
>
> The river will find the weakest embankments to crest, and will do so.
>
>
>
>
> So, what exactly can the state do?
>
> It can be ready for it every year by taking evasive actions.
>
> Can be ready with large scale evacuvation plans including livestock
>
> Can identify Highly flood prone areas, and advice settlers of the dangers.
>
> Be prepared with medical facilities
>
> Rescue operation readiness
>
> Help farmers get back on their feet with seed/fertilizer supplies etc.
>
> Help farmers acquire flood insurance - the state can mandate insurance
> companies that they must offer reduced rates for farmers. The state govt.
> can help farmers with the bulk of the premiums.
>
>
>
> The list can go on.
>
>
>
> --Ram
>
>
>
>
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>
> On 7/4/07,* kamal deka* <kjit.deka at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi RS,
>
> My attention was drawn to the following remark,made by Umesh Sarma.Hewrote and I quote " after the negative reception he received at Boston
> conference where he was only questioned about annual flooding "
>
>
>
> In my considered opinion,the problem of flood is the most menacing natural
> calamity,experienced by the state every year particularly since the great
> earthquake of 1950.The stagnancy of economy of the state owes much to this
> recurrent menace.For example,in the course of last ten years,the total
> damage caused by floods to crops,habitation of people and lives of cattle is
> estimated at over Rs.1000 crores.
>
>
>
> The dream of setting up of 111 engineering colleges in Assam is okay ( how
> many medical colleges will be needed to look after the ailments of these
> folks,I wonder ?).But then,one must remember that 76% of Assam's population
> is rural-based,who eke out a living from their poor surroundings and where
> facilities in the area of power,basic education ,health care
> benefits,roads/communication/transport etc.are non-existent.Unless these
> areas are taken care of by the government,economic prosperity is
> impossible,even if you build thousands of engineering colleges.
>
>
>
> KJD
>
>
>
> On 7/4/07,* Ram Sarangapani* <assamrs at gmail.com > wrote:
>
> Thank you, Umesh for providing an exhaustive account of Assam 2007.
>
>  any mecal colleges
>
> --Ram da
>
>
>
> On 7/3/07,* umesh sharma* < jaipurschool at yahoo.com > wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi,
>
> In the Day 2 of the meeting (on Sunday July 1st, 2007) we arrived just in
> time to have the lunch (got value for money - the $110 we had paid each for
> the Assam 2007) - I was able to identify the dish with the shrimp (and
> avoided a painful alergy outbreak ) .
>
>
> At the same time meeting of Assam Society was going on - I could make out
> the sentences in English which were focused on non-profit work and
> fund-raising (of about $2,500 only) and projects been sponsored and
> monitored in Assam.
>
>  Later Partha-da Gogoi presented a passionate presentation for the
> self-help groups and business initiative and mentoring for engineering
> students etc  http://www.nepif.weblet.in/   North East Professional
> Institutes Forum
>
> under the leadership of Assam Institute of Management
> http://www.aimguwahati.com/ -- which was later shown in front of the Chief
> Minister --
>
> alongwith a presentation slideshow of http://www.pearllifeline.com/ funded
> and spearheaded by an NRI/NRA
> http://www.assamtribune.com/may0507/Photo4.html who advised US President
> George Bush on medical stuff.
>
> http://www.posoowa.org/2007/06/30/a-need-for-expanding-engineering-e
> ducation-facilities-in-assam-for-economic-growth-and-human-development/
> After that was the persuasive presentation for promoting engineering
> college by Jugal-da Kalita based on research by Jugal-da (IIT , Phd UPenn -
> Ivy League Univ, Prof Computer Science, Colorado) , Umesh-da Tabildar (IIT ,
> NASA, USA ), Jukti-da Kalita (IIT, IIM, PhD Columbia) , Mantu-da Bhaishya (
> BITS, Pilani ) , Ganesh-a Bora (PhD Kansas - Agriculture engineering)  ,
> Durba-da Bhattacharya (Prof Computer science - Tejpur Univ, Assam)
>
>
> --- with comments on it by  Gautom Barua (Director IIT- Guwahati Computer
> Science) and other IIT profs and Dipankar-da Medhi (Prof Computer Science at
> Kansas and AssamNet Co-founder)
>
> The Chief Minster was in a state of bliss --- especially after the
> negative reception  he received at Boston conference where he was only
> questioned about the annual flooding of Guwahati (he later spoke of Global
> Warming which might lead initail floods by melting of glaciers followed by
> drought - when no more glaciers). He said that he is so pleased with these
> presentation which have a positive note and aim to improve the situation of
> Assam.
>
> Main Points of the engineering college presentation -- Orissa has 13,000
> employed by Infosys for computer work -- even though has much worse travel
> connection than Assam. Gautam Barua (IIT - G director) was told by Infosys
> Chief (Nilekani is IIT batchmate of Gautam-da ) that Assam only produces 750
> engg grads compared to 13,000 by Orissa - and Infosys wants 80% of its
> employees to be local -atleast.
>
> Second, Assam has 2.5% of India's population but only 0.2% of its
> engineering colleges and only 0.17% of its engineering graduates. I agreed
> with Jugal-da that engineering education might act as a "pull" in improving
> basic education (at school level) .
>
>  Later during lunch Jugal-da, Partha-da and others were having lively
> discussion with the CM. The CM had declared that his govt had declared
> already that the year 2007 was the Year of Education and passed a Bill
> (confirmed by his ADC later to  me) to open privately run engineering
> colleges etc. Jugal-da however, told me that he was not able to lay hands on
> any such Bill being passed by Assam govt - but may have been introduced.
>
> I was within one feet of the CM and  even made eye contact but I conceded
> to the stalwarts waiting to talk to him - who could have more immediate
> impact or synergy.
>
> Partha-da in his very professional approach  showed that it was possible
> to  have business outreach delegations to US  -- since backward states like
> Jharkhand and  Uttranchal have been  making waves in US. Utpal-da Brahma
> (IIT, IIM  and  National Defense  Academy  selected  ) was of the opinion
> that  first  local Indian companies need to  be invited to Assam and  based
> on their  performance MNCs would  get attracted to  invest  (FDI) in Assam.
>
> There are more than one way to skin a cat , however!!!!
>
> Jugal-da and Partha-da rightly noted that NRAs have yet to get involved
> with entrepreneurial ventures and thus, professional education is the key to
> economic development of Assam -- a fact whole heartedly agreed  to by Assam
> Chief Minister.
>
> He did say the Assam's economy was growing at 3% before his tenure and now
> is at 6% and want it to go up to 8-9%  to catch up with rest of India - and
> negated my question (anonymous) that corruption was on the rise otherwise
> how could current growth be possible.
>
> (My comment - Indian embassy in DC has now opened doors for anyone seeking
> corroption of any other info - under RTI - Right To Info Act)
>
> Any comments?
>
> Umesh
>
>
>
>
>
> Umesh Sharma
>
> Washington D.C.
>
> 1-202-215-4328 [Cell]
>
> Ed.M. - International Education Policy
> Harvard Graduate School of Education,
> Harvard University,
> Class of 2005
>
> http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html (Edu info)
>
> http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info)
>
>
>
>
> www.gse.harvard.edu/iep (where the above 2 are used )
>
>
>
>
> http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/
>
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