Assam Rivers Breached Highest Flood Level in June

Several houses damaged as the flood water makes its way in Lakhimpur district. Image source - PTI

July 6, 2023 SANDRP

In the first month of South West (SW) monsoon season June 2023, there have been Highest Flood Level (HFL) breach incidents at two sites. Both of these sites namely Suklai on Suklai river and DRF on Puthimari river are level monitoring sites located in Baksa district of Assam in Brahmaputra basin.

Interestingly, the old HFL at both sites were attained in 2020 and 2022 only and the old HFLs were breached thrice between June 15 and 20, 2023. 

Notably, the hydrograph inserted on Central Water Commission (CWC) flood forecast website the Puthimari river has not crossed the 144.45 meter level at DRF site between 17 to 19 June 2022. However, CWC has strangely mentioned the old HFL for the site as 144.51 meter dated 19.06.2022.

Moreover, as per CWC old record, the DRF site was in Nailbari district with old HFL as 144.43 meter attained on 28.08.1988.

Similarly, the Suklai site was under Kamrup district with old HFL being 75.73 meter dated 25.09.2018 and 76.18 meter dated 12.09.1983.

Given CWC old data as archived by SANDRP the HFL for the Suklai should be 76.18 meter dated 12.09.1983 and the CWC’s HFL for DRF site which is 144.51 meter dated 19.06.2022 is incorrect.

High floods in the Brahmaputra basin in Assam located at upstream have serious implications for the Brahmaputra and Meghna basins in Bangladesh in the form of worse deluge.

Source: https://sandrp.in/2023/07/06/rivers-breaching-high-flood-level-in-june-2023/