Brahmaputra’s Drying Up During Lean Season Raises Concerns

The Brahmaputra River is drying abnormally during the lean season, largely due to declining monsoon rainfall in the Northeast. Professor Parag Phukan of Gauhati University highlighted that reduced rainfall impacts the river’s ability to flush out sediment, causing a rise in its bed and reducing water-carrying capacity.

Sediment buildup contributes to frequent floods and landslides during the rainy season. While dredging can create navigation channels, it is unlikely to resolve the river’s overall challenges due to its vast scale. Climate change as a cause remains uncertain, with data still inconclusive.