Guwahati, Sept. 24: The North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (Neepco) has allayed fears that raising the height of the Khandong reservoir in Dima Hasao district will affect downstream areas of the Kopili.

A press release issued by Neepco said the land that would get submerged because of raising of the reservoir height was already under Neepco's possession and apart from that part no other area would be affected.

"It will have no impact on the downstream and the installation of gates will rather moderate the inflow of water to a great extent during monsoon," the release said.

The Telegraph on September 15 reported that Neepco's move to raise the height of the Khandong reservoir by six metres has sparked concern among villagers living in downstream areas of the Kopili.

Villagers in Nagaon and Morigaon districts fear that more water in the reservoir might lead to a catastrophe during the monsoon.

At the same time, there is concern that more areas in upstream Meghalaya might be submerged.