With Assam facing devastating floods almost every year, nuclear technology developed by India’s atomic research institutions may offer a new solution to ensure safe drinking water during disasters.
Every monsoon, the Brahmaputra and its tributaries overflow, submerging large parts of the state and affecting millions of people. Floodwaters often contaminate wells, ponds and other water sources, creating an acute shortage of safe drinking water in many flood-hit areas.
Scientists at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) have developed advanced membrane-based water purification systems derived from nuclear research. The technology can remove bacteria, arsenic, iron, fluoride and other contaminants from polluted water, making it suitable for use in disaster-prone regions such as Assam.
According to the Union government, the technology has already been licensed to several companies across the country, including one operating in Assam. Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh informed Parliament that such systems could help provide clean drinking water to communities affected by recurring floods in the Northeast.
The initiative is part of India’s broader push to expand nuclear technology applications beyond electricity generation. The country is also planning to develop Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) under a national mission aimed at boosting nuclear power capacity and promoting advanced technologies.
Officials say innovations from India’s nuclear programme are increasingly being used in sectors such as water treatment, healthcare and agriculture. In flood-prone states like Assam, these technologies could play a crucial role in reducing the impact of disasters and improving access to safe drinking water for affected communities.
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