Dibrugarh: The Dhemaji and Lakhimpur district administrations on Monday issued advisories alerting residents along the Subansiri River after the Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project (SLHEP) at Gerukamukh reported a high-discharge situation. The advisory was issued as a precautionary measure amid heavy rainfall in the river’s upper catchment areas.According to the notice, the water discharge rate from the project has climbed to approximately 12,000-13,000 cubic metres per second, a level significantly higher than the river’s average flow, following intense rainfall in the catchment areas upstream, including parts of Arunachal Pradesh. The Subansiri basin has repeatedly witnessed sharp surges in discharge during the monsoon months in recent years, often triggering flooding in downstream areas of both districts, which lie directly in the river’s path before it merges with the Brahmaputra.“Residents living along the banks of the Subansiri and in low-lying downstream areas must remain alert and avoid venturing near the river until further notice,” the advisory stated. Both district administrations added that they were coordinating closely and that the SDRF and NDRF were fully prepared to respond to any emergency arising from the rising water levels.The advisory specifically named villages and areas considered vulnerable, including East Telahi, Ghana Sorai Embankment, West Telahi, Badhakara, Mudai Bil, Naoboicha, Lohit Khabalu, Kathori Chapori and Bhimpora, urging residents there to stay prepared to move to safer locations if required.The 2,000-MW Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project being developed by NHPC Limited at Gerukamukh on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border has faced recurring monsoon-related complications since construction resumed in 2019, with downstream communities in both Dhemaji and Lakhimpur periodically reporting flooding and erosion linked to sudden water releases from the dam.Officials in both districts said the situation was being closely monitored round the clock and further updates would be issued as conditions evolve. Residents have been advised to stay tuned to official communication channels for real-time information.
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