EAST SIANG, Sept 17: Continuous erosion caused by flooding in the Siang River has damaged Wet Rice Cultivation (WRC) fields and other agricultural land in Kongkin area of Borguli village under Mebo sub-division in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district, threatening farming families dependent on agriculture.
Tatling Pertin, ADC (HQ) in-charge Deputy Commissioner of East Siang, along with Mebo ADC Nancy Yirang and other officials, inspected the affected areas on Wednesday to assess the extent of erosion and agricultural damage. Parts of farmer Otil Tayeng’s WRC fields, where paddy crops were standing, had already been washed away, while other farmland remained under threat.
Affected farmers said recurring floods and changes in the course of the Siang River had washed away large portions of cash-crop plantations, bamboo groves and fertile agricultural land since 2021.
The erosion has now reached standing paddy crops, a key source of food and income for farming families in Borguli and neighbouring villages. The area is regarded as one of Arunachal Pradesh’s key rice-producing regions.
The officials took stock of the damage and are expected to submit a detailed assessment report to the concerned authorities. Villagers have sought immediate intervention from the state and Central governments, adequate compensation for crop and land losses, and durable flood-control and erosion-protection measures to prevent further damage.
