World Bank team to study impact of flooding in Assam

"A team of the World Bank on a preparatory mission on flood and anti-erosion related projects in the state held discussions with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi...," an official statement said on a meeting here last evening.

"The World Bank team said that an expert team would study the impact of flooding in the plains following rush of flood waters from the hills of neighbouring North Eastern states during monsoons," the statement said.

The team would visit some states adjoining Assam to study the situation there and to adopt a suitable action plan.

"The World Bank team informed the chief minister that they would raise the capacity building of engineers of the Water Resources Department through intensive training," the statement said.

The team represented by Rahul Raturi, Liping Jiyang, Marcy Epuo and Khalil, visited the flood prone areas of Morigaon and Palashbari to get a first hand account of the situation.

The team would make an in-depth study for preparation of a project on a long term basis to control flood and erosion in those areas, it said.

It said that water resources management including watershed management, reclamation of land, desiltation, soil conservation, among others, would be part of the latest technology driven projects to tackle flood and erosion in Assam.

It also said that community participation to cope with floods and to sustain their livelihood post-flood would be an indispensable part of the projects.

The team's visit would be followed by other teams from the World Bank.