Geleki Floods Return Despite ₹8-Crore River Dredging Project

Fresh floods have inundated the Geleki region along the Assam–Nagaland border under Nazira Co-District after hill-fed rivers overflowed following heavy rainfall. Several villages and low-lying areas have gone under water, while road connectivity has been disrupted at multiple locations.

The Denchi, Daikhana and other rivers flowing down from the adjoining Naga Hills witnessed a sharp rise in water levels, sending floodwaters into nearby settlements. Roads in Geleki Moran Gaon, Lahan Gaon and surrounding areas were submerged after the Denchi River overtopped its banks.

The flooding has revived concerns over the effectiveness of an ₹8-crore river dredging project undertaken in the area last year to improve the rivers' carrying capacity and reduce flood risks.

The dredging project was launched in November 2025 under the initiative of Nazira MLA Mayur Borgohain and inaugurated by then Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika. The work was carried out to remove silt, sand and stone deposits that had accumulated in the rivers over the years, leading to frequent flooding and damage to agricultural land.

Local residents, however, alleged that dredging was incomplete in several stretches and that embankments were not strengthened or raised adequately. They claimed these shortcomings contributed to the latest flooding, leaving large parts of the region submerged once again.

On Sunday, MLA Mayur Borgohain visited the affected villages, reviewed the flood situation and interacted with local residents.

Officials of the Water Resources Department said the flooding may also have been aggravated by a difference in elevation between a large culvert constructed by ONGC and the adjoining river embankments, affecting the natural flow of water during the heavy discharge from the hills.

Meanwhile, the water level of the Dikhow River has continued to rise in the Nazira region, raising fears of further flooding if rainfall persists in the upper catchment areas.

The Geleki region has witnessed recurring floods over the years as rivers descending from the Naga Hills carry large quantities of silt and debris during the monsoon, reducing their flow capacity and affecting agriculture across the border villages.