Dhemaji, July 3: Siltation in the tributaries of the Brahmaputra that flow in Dhemaji district is nothing new but this year the problem has been massively exacerbated because the Likabali-Aalo road four-laning project in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh is discharging a lot of material into the streams.

Debris from the four-laning project and landslides is heavily silting up the Gai, Dimow, Simen and Kumatia rivers in Dhemaji district, causing the people living near river banks to be concerned. Banamali Mahanta, a resident of Gai village in the eastern part of the district, told The Telegraph that he is fearing a rerun of the devastation that was caused by the Gai river in August 2011. He said in the past two days, the water-level had risen nearly 2 feet and if the rain continues, the river may breach the embankment and wreak havoc.

The Gai has its source in the Sissi river and flows southward for 2km, north of Sissiborgaon village. From Sissiborgaon, Gai continues through Salahani Beel for another 4km in the same direction. Near Chumani Beel it changes course and flows 3km downstream merging with Kukura Beel and flowing into the Kapurdhowa river.

"The actual time for floods in our district is yet to come and if no timely protection work is done by either clearing up the riverbed or (bolstering) the dyke, an incident similar to that of 2011 will repeat itself," Mahanta said.

Dhemaji deputy commissioner R.A. Karoti said she was aware of the problem. In Somajan, the Kumatia river is almost about to inundate National Highway 15.

"Most of the river beds in the district are rising fast compared to previous years. We have informed the government about the condition," Karoti said, adding that all 92 villages in the district are facing a flood-like situation.

Most of the villagers residing on the banks of the tributaries are living in fear. Water has already entered Kaphulani and Sapekati villages under Betanipam panchayat.