Beki: Was human folly to blame for Brahmaputra tributary changing course, displacing state highway?

• Human folly and ignorance responsible for the Beki, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, changing course and displacing thousands of people and a state highway in Lower Assam.

Causes of Course Alteration

• The Integrated Flood and Erosion Management Plan of 2022, supported by the World Bank, highlighted the increased flood hazard and severe erosion along the Beki River's path.
• Periodic releases of water from the Kurichu Dam in Bhutan further escalated floods and erosion downstream, altering the Beki's natural course significantly.
• Lack of proactive bank protection measures and failures in coordination between the water resources department, district administration, and public works department exacerbated the crisis.

PRELIMS TAKEAWAY

• BEKI RIVER