PASIGHAT, SEP 4:

Severe erosion triggered by flooding in the Siang River has caused extensive loss of agricultural land in several villages under Mebo Sub-Division of East Siang district, raising concerns over the livelihood and future of affected farming families.

According to villagers, large areas of cash crops and bamboo groves have already been washed away, while agricultural fields in Borguli village, including Wet Rice Cultivation (WRC) areas, are increasingly coming under threat from the advancing river.

Speaking to the Pasighat News team, local resident Otil Tayeng pointed to the extent of the damage and said he had already lost around eight acres of bamboo grove, which had been an important source of income for his family.

Tayeng said his agricultural land was the primary means of livelihood for his family and helped him support his children’s education. With the erosion continuing to advance, he expressed apprehension that the remaining land could also be swept away by the river.

He said the erosion in the area began in 2021 and has intensified over the years, causing increasing concern among farmers and residents living along vulnerable stretches of the riverbank.

The affected villagers have appealed to Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng and Chief Minister Pema Khandu to treat the issue on priority and initiate permanent embankment reinforcement and other effective flood and erosion protection measures.

With farmland and livelihoods continuing to remain at risk, the villagers stressed the need for an immediate and sustainable solution to prevent further loss of agricultural land and property to the Siang River.