A new study by the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), in collaboration with the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), has called for installing four advanced discharge measurement stations in Assam to improve the accuracy of flood forecasting and downstream impact assessment from hydropower dam releases.

Key Findings of the Study:

The study titled “Flooding Scenario Generation and Discharge-Based Downstream Impact Study in Assam for Ranganadi, Doyang & Kurichhu Hydropower Projects” evaluated how dam water releases affect downstream villages and floodplains.

  • Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project:

    • Peak discharge of 760 cubic metres per second (cumec) can flood 1,391 hectares of land downstream.
  • Doyang Project (Nagaland) and Kurichhu Project (Bhutan):

    • Data gaps due to lack of real-time spillage records, especially from Bhutan.
    • Researchers relied on hypothetical scenarios to estimate impacts.

The study stressed that controlled or emergency water releases from upstream hydropower reservoirs can worsen downstream flooding, especially in un-gauged channels where no real-time data exist.

Recommendations:

  • Installation of Four Discharge Measurement Stations: These stations will improve inundation simulation accuracy, helping officials predict village-level flood impacts more precisely.
  • Floodplain Zoning & Community Preparedness: Urges the State to adopt floodplain zoning and enhance early warning systems to safeguard agricultural and residential areas.
  • Cross-Border Cooperation: For the Kurichhu–Beki River system, it proposes a data-sharing protocol and real-time coordination between Bhutan and India.
  • Alignment with National Frameworks: The initiative complements the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) and the Brahmaputra River Basin Flood and Erosion Management Strategy, focusing on science-based mitigation.

Brief Background of the Projects

  • Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project (Arunachal Pradesh–Assam):

    • Located on the Ranganadi River, a tributary of the Subansiri in Arunachal Pradesh.
    • Operated by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO).
    • Capacity: 405 MW, commissioned in 2002.
  • Doyang Hydroelectric Project (Nagaland):

    • Built on the Doyang River, a tributary of the Dhansiri, in Wokha district, Nagaland.
    • Capacity: 75 MW, operated by NEEPCO.
  • Kurichhu–Beki River System (Bhutan–Assam):

    • Located in eastern Bhutan on the Kurichhu River, a tributary of the Manas–Beki system flowing into Assam’s Baksa and Barpeta districts.

Exam Hook – Prelims Question:

The Ranganadi, Doyang, and Kurichhu projects, often in news for their downstream impacts, are associated with which Indian states?
 (a) Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
 (b) Nagaland and Assam
 (c) Sikkim and Meghalaya
 (d) Mizoram and Tripura

Answer: (b) Nagaland and Assam

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