Guwahati: River erosion has completely wiped out 364 villages in Assam and partially affected 797 others, the assembly was told on Friday.Revenue and disaster management minister Keshab Mahanta said around 6,96,450 bighas, or more than 930 sq km, were eroded by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries.Morigaon was the worst-hit district, losing 94 villages completely and 34 partially. Around 1,35,959 bighas were eroded, affecting more than 1.13 lakh people.Goalpara recorded the second-highest number of completely eroded villages at 82, besides 29 partially affected villages. Around 1,09,601 bighas were lost, affecting nearly 2,823 people.Majuli lost 64 villages completely and 23 partially, with 15,600 bighas eroded and more than 15,400 people affected. Kamrup lost 37 villages completely, Sonitpur 31 and Dibrugarh 21. Dibrugarh also recorded 59 partially eroded villages.Bongaigaon had 205 partially eroded villages, the state’s highest, affecting around 2,630 people and 1,371 families. Dhubri recorded 97 partially affected villages and 4,972 affected people.Mahanta said there was no provision for issuing certificates to erosion-affected families.“The govt undertakes the rehabilitation of families affected by riverbank erosion in accordance with prevailing policies and guidelines, subject to the availability of suitable govt land and the fulfilment of prescribed eligibility criteria,” the minister added.
