Monsoon-hit irrigation system hampering Bhutan restarting water supply for Assam farmers

Attempts to draw political inferences from irrigation channel water supply from Bhutan to villages in Assam being hampered have been shunned by the local Bhutanese administration. 

On account of the Covid pandemic and Bhutan's attempts to prevent community transfer, paddy farmers in Baksa district of Assam who have been using water flowing from a man-made irrigation system also known as ‘dong’ since 1953 have been unable to do so this year, causing them to stage a protest under the banner of Kalipur-Bogajuli-Kalanadi Anchalik Dong Bandh Samiti, seeking that the Centre take up the issue. However, in light of this, the local Bhutanese mayor has issued a post with an explanation that there is more than the 21-day mandatory Covid quarantine getting in the way of attempts to provide the requisite water across the border.

READ | 'India's arsenal not meant for hatching eggs': Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury 

READ | Emergency mindset remains in Congress; non Gandhi-Vadra netas unable to speak up: Shah

While Bhutan has imposed a mandatory 21-day quarantine even for its own citizens upon entering the kingdom, this has also had the effect of preventing the Indian farmers from doing so for their agricultural needs. The local Bhutan government had initially agreed to continue the water supply through the dongs, but this has turned out to be harder than anticipated owing to the sudden monsoon rainfall which has caused damage to the irrigation system. 

Bhutan's Tshering Namgyel, has put up pictures that shows the damage to the system, which is clearly inundated. Locals can be seen attempting to build makeshift levees, with the use of sacks and large stones. What appears to be the mechanism that is used to divert the water towards India for three months a year is also visible, as are other embankments. Attached is a friendly message asking the Indian farmers to 'understand', under the header 'Neighbourhood First'.

READ | Uddhav govt warns Ramdev over Patanjali's Coronil; won't allow sale till clinically proven

READ | Coronavirus Live Updates