The Brahmaputra Board, set up by the Centre to control floods and bank erosion in Brahmaputra Valley over 30 years ago, has failed 'miserably' in its duty, he said and sought to do away with it.
"We need a proper body to manage this water body (Brahmaputra) in a more professional manner. More scientific methodology backed by knowledge available in the world today should be adopted as was done in the Netherlands and other flood-prone countries," Sangma said.
"Brahmaputra is now like a drain in Assam. It creates havoc when there is rainfall in the catchment areas ... There is urgent need for a scientific and professional body of water resources authority to manage rivers of this region. It should involve all stakeholders and include all state governments," he told newsmen.
Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya face the flood fury of Brahmaputra almost every year. This year too the plains area of West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya has been flooded by the river.