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.
Assam is reeling under the worst floods in recent times with 27 out of the total 28 districts affected, 22 lakh people affected and 116 killed in floods and landslides caused by incessant rainfall. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced Rs 500 crore aid to the state.
