Guwahati: Former Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia has alleged that the recent floods in Nazira and neighbouring districts were intensified by years of unchecked illegal mining along the Dikhow River, claiming that extensive extraction of sand, stone and coal has significantly altered the river’s natural course.
In a post shared on social media, Saikia said satellite images comparing the region between 2010 and 2024 reveal major changes to the Dikhow River and its surrounding landscape. He alleged that large-scale excavation along the riverbanks had damaged the natural ecosystem and contributed to the devastating floods witnessed in Nazira, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and adjoining areas.
The senior Congress leader said he had repeatedly raised concerns over illegal mining and warned the Assam government about its environmental consequences. He accused the administration of failing to act despite judicial directions and official warnings issued over the years.
Referring to Public Interest Litigation (PIL) No. 62/2019 filed before the Gauhati High Court, Saikia said the court, in October 2019, directed the state government to constitute a dedicated Mines and Minerals Task Force Battalion within three months to curb illegal mining activities. However, he alleged that the task force was never formed within the stipulated period and that the government later informed the Assam Legislative Assembly that the proposal remained under process.
Saikia also cited an inspection conducted by the Water Resources Department in January 2022, claiming officials had warned that continued excavation near Bamunphukhuri Tea Estate and Santak could alter the course of the Dikhow River and trigger widespread flooding. He alleged that the findings and recommendations of the inspection report were not acted upon.
Satellite images expose a horrifying truth: The catastrophic Nazira #Floods are not a natural calamity, but a meticulously engineered man-made disaster driven by unchecked sand, stone, and coal mafias! 🚨
If you compare the satellite imagery of the region from 2010 to 2024, the… pic.twitter.com/4rbmD8LjjF
— Debabrata Saikia (@DsaikiaOfficial) July 30, 2026
According to Saikia, he again raised the issue during the 2022 Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly and later wrote to the state’s Environment and Forest Minister in June 2024, warning that continued illegal mining could lead to severe flooding and environmental damage. He claimed those warnings also went unaddressed.
Saikia further alleged that the devastation caused by the recent floods was the result of prolonged administrative inaction and urged authorities to take strict measures against illegal mining to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Assam government has not yet issued an official response to Saikia’s latest allegations. Independent verification of his claims, including those related to the satellite imagery and the alleged link between illegal mining and the recent floods, was not immediately available.
The recent floods have affected several districts across Upper Assam, causing extensive damage to homes, roads, agricultural land and public infrastructure, while relief and rehabilitation efforts continue in the affected areas.
