Editing Brahmaputra River (section)

====Flooding====
[[File:Brahmaputra Plains in Goalpara District of Assam 857.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Flooded villages along the Brahmaputra]]
During the monsoon season (June–October), floods are a very common occurrence. Deforestation in the Brahmaputra watershed has resulted in increased siltation levels, flash floods, and soil erosion in critical downstream habitat, such as the [[Kaziranga National Park]] in middle Assam. Occasionally, massive flooding causes huge losses to crops, life, and property. Periodic flooding is a natural phenomenon which is ecologically important because it helps maintain the lowland grasslands and associated wildlife. Periodic floods also deposit fresh alluvium, replenishing the fertile soil of the Brahmaputra River Valley. Thus flooding, agriculture, and agricultural practices are closely connected.<ref>Das, D.C. 2000. Agricultural Landuse and Productivity Pattern in Lower Brahmaputra valley (1970–71 and 1994–95). PhD Thesis, Department of Geography, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong.</ref><ref>Mipun, B.S. 1989. Impact of Migrants and Agricultural Changes in the Lower Brahmaputra Valley : A Case Study of Darrang District. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Geography, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong.</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Shrivastava | first1 = R.J. | last2 = Heinen | first2 = J.T. | year = 2005 | title = Migration and Home Gardens in the Brahmaputra Valley, Assam, India | url = http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1055&context=jea | journal = Journal of Ecological Anthropology | volume = 9 | pages = 20–34 | doi = 10.5038/2162-4593.9.1.2 | doi-access = free | access-date = 5 September 2019 | archive-date = 20 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210420133934/https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1055&context=jea | url-status = live }}</ref>

The effects of flooding can be devastating and cause significant damage to crops and houses, serious bank erosive with consequent loss of homesteads, school and land, and loss of many lives, livestock, and fisheries. During the 1998 flood, over 70% of the land area of Bangladesh was inundated, affecting 31 million people and 1 million homesteads. In the 1998 flood which had an unusually long duration from July to September, claimed 918 human lives and was responsible for damaging {{Convert|1600|km|abbr=on}} of roads and {{Convert|6000|km|abbr=on}} embankments, and affecting {{Convert|6000|km2|abbr=on}} of standing crops. The 2004 floods, over 25% of the population of Bangladesh or 36 million people, were affected by the floods; 800 people died; 952 000 houses were destroyed and 1.4 million were badly damaged; 24 000 educational institutions were affected including the destruction of 1200 primary schools, 2 million governments and private tube wells were affected, over 3 million latrines were damaged or washed away, this increases the risks of waterborne diseases including diarrhea and cholera. Also, {{Convert|1.1|e6ha|e6acre|abbr=unit}} of the rice crop was submerged and lost before it could be harvested, with 7% of the yearly ''aus'' (early season) rice crop lost; {{cvt|270,000|ha|abbr=on}} of grazing land was affected, 5600 livestock perished together with 254 00 poultry and {{Convert|63|e6t|e6ST|abbr=off}} of lost fish production.

Flood-control measures are taken by the water resource department and the Brahmaputra Board, but until now the flood problem remains unsolved. At least a third of the land of [[Majuli|Majuli Island]] has been eroded by the river. Recently, it is suggested that a highway protected by concrete mat along the river bank and excavation of the river bed can curb this menace. This project, named the Brahmaputra River Restoration Project, is yet to be implemented by the government. Recently the Central Government approved the construction of Brahmaputra Express Highways.