**Executive Summary**
This document answers Unstarred Question No. 230 in Lok Sabha, addressed to the Minister of Jal Shakti, regarding the identification of erosion and flood-prone zones in Assam, and the measures taken to address these issues. The response, dated January 29, 2026, details the government's efforts in flood management and anti-erosion schemes in the region, including financial assistance provided. The document does not specify any key deadlines or action items.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Flood and Erosion Assessment:**
* Morphological study of the Brahmaputra River shows erosion of 252.6 sq. km and deposition of 118.6 sq. km during 2003-05 and 2008-11.
* Total flood-affected area in Assam is assessed as 2.477 Mha (based on satellite data from 1986-2022); area protected through flood management is 2.110 Mha.
* Flood-affected areas assessed in Sonitpur, Biswanath and Lakhimpur are 1.172 Lha, 0.693 Lha, and 1.30 Lha, respectively.
* Data on river erosion incidents and affected families is not maintained centrally.
* **Flood Management and Anti-Erosion Schemes:**
* Formulated and implemented by State Governments, with Union Government providing technical guidance and financial assistance.
* The Union Government implements the "Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)."
* 111 FMBAP projects including 38 projects on Brahmaputra and Jia Bharali rivers have been completed in Assam, with one project ongoing.
* Central share of Rs. 1582.54 Crore released to Assam under FMBAP up to March 2025.
* **Financial Assistance and Rehabilitation:**
* The State Government is primarily responsible for financial assistance, rehabilitation, and livelihood support of families affected by river erosion.
* The Central Government supplements these efforts with logistics and financial support.
* The State Government provides relief assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
* Additional assistance is provided from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) in cases of severe disasters.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Government of Assam**
* **Impact:** Assam State government has the primary responsibility for the implementation of flood management and anti-erosion schemes, along with financial assistance and rehabilitation efforts for affected families.
* **Action Required:** The Assam government needs to continue assessing damages, providing relief assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), and formulating and implementing flood management and anti-erosion schemes according to their priorities, utilizing financial and technical support from the Union Government.
**Stakeholder: Central Water Commission (CWC)**
* **Impact:** The morphological study of river Brahmaputra has been conducted by CWC. Also Central Water Commission's report on “Assessment of Area Affected Due to Floods in India", is mentioned.
* **Action Required:** The CWC has to keep up their effort in morphlogical study of river Brahmaputra and provide latest reports on affected area.
**Stakeholder: Families affected by River Erosion in Assam**
* **Impact:** Families affected by river erosion in Assam receive financial assistance, rehabilitation, and livelihood support primarily from the State Government, supplemented by the Central Government.
* **Action Required:** Affected families should seek assistance from the State Government, including accessing the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and other relief measures available.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: Union ministry responsible for water resources
Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP): A central scheme providing assistance to states for flood control and anti-erosion measures
Assam: State significantly affected by floods and river erosion, focus area of the question
Brahmaputra River: Major river in Assam, prone to erosion and flooding
State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF): Fund used by State Governments for providing relief assistance to those affected by disasters
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 230
ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026
IDENTIFICATION OF EROSION AND FLOOD PRONE ZONES IN ASSAM
†230. SHRI RANJIT DUTTA:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has identified erosion and flood-prone zones in Sonitpur, Biswanath and North
Lakhimpur districts of Assam;
(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the number of incidents of river erosion reported in the said districts
during the last three years and the number of families affected consequently;
(c) whether any Central or Centrally assisted schemes are currently under implementation to prevent
riverbank erosion, especially along the Brahmaputra and Jia Bharali rivers and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has released any financial assistance for the rehabilitation and livelihood
support of families affected by the river erosion; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the funds approved and released by the Union Government and the
State Governments for the said purpose?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) & (b) The country faces the problem of flood and erosion in varying degrees in different parts
including Assam. The morphological study of river Brahmaputra using remote sensing has been conducted
by Central Water Commission (CWC). The study indicates that an estimated erosion and deposition in the
stretch Brahmaputra River is 252.6 sq.km and 118.6 sq.km respectively during 2003-05 and 2008-11.
As per report of Central Water Commission on “Assessment of Area Affected Due to Floods
in India” based on satellite imageries data from 1986 to 2022, the total flood affected areas in Assam
is assessed as 2.477 Mha and area protected through various steps taken for flood management by
the Central/State Government is 2.110 Mha. Flood affected areas assessed in districts Sonitpur, Bishwanath
and Lakhimpur of Assam is 1.172 Lha, 0.693 Lha and 1.30 Lha respectively.
The data on number of incidents of river erosion and the number of families affected consequently is
not maintained centrally.
(c) Flood management and anti-erosion schemes are formulated and implemented by concerned State
Governments as per their priority. The Union Government supplements the efforts of the States by
providing technical guidance and also promotional financial assistance for management of floods in critical
1areas. Union Government is implementing "Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)"
for providing central assistance to States for works related to flood control, anti-erosion, drainage
development, anti-sea erosion, etc. Total 111 Flood Management and Anti Erosion Projects under Flood
Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) in Assam including 38 projects on river Brahmaputra
and Jia Bharali have been completed and one project is ongoing. Central share amounting to Rs. 1582.54
Crore has been released to Assam upto March, 2025.
(d) & (e) The primary responsibility of financial assistance for the rehabilitation and livelihood support of
families affected by the river erosion rests with the State Government concerned. The Central Government
supplements the efforts of the State Government and provides requisite logistics and financial support. The
State Government undertakes assessment of damages caused due to 12 notified natural calamities including
rain and floods and provide relief assistance from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) already placed at
their disposal as per Government of India’s approved norms. Additional financial assistance is provided
from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure in case of disaster of ‘severe
nature’ which includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).
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