APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 28/08/2025

Model answer

Introduction

Floods in Assam are an annual calamity, affecting lives, agriculture, and infrastructure. A significant portion of these floods is caused by rivers originating in Bhutan such as Manas, Sankosh, Puthimari, and Pagladiya. Recent efforts by India and Bhutan to enhance data-sharing, joint monitoring, and river management mark a crucial step towards cooperative flood governance in the Brahmaputra basin.

Body

1. Significance of India–Bhutan River Cooperation

• Early Warning & Forecasting: Real-time data sharing helps Assam prepare for flash floods.
• Disaster Risk Reduction: Joint embankment planning reduces downstream vulnerabilities.
• Hydro-Diplomacy: Deepens bilateral ties beyond hydropower to water security.
• Sustainable Development: Enhances climate adaptation for Himalayan river systems.
• Community Benefits: Protects agriculture, fisheries, and rural livelihoods in Lower Assam.

2. Challenges in Cooperation

3. Government Initiatives

• Flood Management & Border Areas Programme (FMBAP): Embankment and anti-erosion works.
• India–Bhutan Hydropower Agreements: Expanding scope to river management.
• World Bank-supported Assam Integrated River Basin Management Project.
• Regional Data-Sharing: Indian Meteorological Department and Bhutanese agencies.

4. Way Forward

1. Institutional Mechanism: Create a Joint River Basin Authority for India–Bhutan rivers.
2. Technological Integration: Use AI, satellite imaging, and Doppler radars for real-time forecasts.
3. Eco-Friendly Flood Management: Promote wetland restoration and natural flood buffers.
4. Community-Centric Approaches: Train local disaster response units in flood-prone districts.
5. Regional Approach: Extend cooperation to Nepal and China for holistic Brahmaputra basin governance.

Conclusion

India–Bhutan cooperation in flood management is a strategic necessity for Assam, combining disaster preparedness with regional diplomacy. While technical and ecological challenges remain, a sustainable basin-level partnership can convert recurring floods into an opportunity for resilient development and stronger bilateral ties.