Guwahati Faces Severe Flooding After Rain
The city of Guwahati has been grappling with severe flooding following heavy rainfall that began on Monday night and continued into Tuesday morning. The downpour led to extensive waterlogging across various localities, with floodwaters rising from knee to chest level in several areas, severely disrupting daily life and transportation. Residents faced significant challenges navigating through submerged streets, highlighting the city’s vulnerability to rainfall-induced urban flooding.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Guwahati recorded 10 cm of rain, contributing to the inundation. The situation was exacerbated by rainwater flowing down from the adjoining Meghalaya hills, overwhelming the city’s drainage systems.
Heavy Downpour Affects Daily Life
The heavy rain in Guwahati has significantly impacted daily life. Public transportation was paralyzed, with office-goers experiencing commutes lasting over three hours due to intense traffic congestion and submerged routes in areas like Zoo Road, Nabin Nagar, and Ulubari. Several schools suspended classes due to waterlogged campuses, notably in Hatigaon, Maligaon, and Ganeshguri.
The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) deployed teams to identify faults and restore power, as the rainfall between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM on Saturday led to power cuts and waterlogging in Guwahati.
Rescue Efforts Underway in Flooded Areas
In response to the flooding, rescue efforts are underway in the affected areas. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has been coordinating with various departments to provide relief and rehabilitation. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has strategically positioned teams in multiple flood-prone districts, including Cachar, Barpeta, Dibrugarh, and Sonitpur. Additionally, the Fire and Emergency Services Department has deployed 639 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and 299 rescue boats at 58 locations across Assam.
District commissioners have been tasked with enhancing local responder capacities and ensuring the provision of clean drinking water through the public health engineering department. The agriculture department is promoting crop insurance among farmers to mitigate losses.
Assam Weather Update: Rainfall Continues
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across several northeastern states over the next four days, driven by moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal. The southwest monsoon is expected to advance further into parts of the northeastern region within the next 4-5 days. In the past 24 hours, heavy rainfall has already caused significant disruptions, including landslides in parts of Assam and Meghalaya.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) warns of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Mizoram, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 50 kmph. Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland are also likely to experience isolated thunderstorms. These adverse weather conditions are expected to persist through the week, potentially leading to further disruptions.
In an effort to mitigate future flooding, the Assam government has initiated measures to expand the water storage capacity of the Silsako Beel, a protected wetland. On Tuesday, the Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development (OKD) in Guwahati was demolished to facilitate this expansion. Other entities, including the Institute of Cooperative Management, the Institute of Hotel Management, the All Assam Tennis Association court, and the Ginger hotel, are also scheduled for demolition. These measures aim to build a large reservoir to manage floodwaters and reduce city-wide flood risks.
The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) plans to restore Silsako Beel’s capacity to hold 3.5 million cubic meters of water. Large-scale encroachments had shrunk the wetland from 450 acres to 80 acres by 2021, but a major restoration effort has reclaimed 270 acres. The minister assured that the evictions are uniformly implemented and compensations are being provided to verified beneficiaries. The goal is to complete the demolitions and begin excavation before the onset of the flood season.
The recent heavy rain in Guwahati has once again highlighted the city’s vulnerability to flooding and the need for comprehensive flood management strategies. As the Assam weather update indicates continued rainfall, authorities are urged to expedite relief efforts and implement long-term solutions to safeguard residents and infrastructure.
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This article sources are from Times of india , Hindustan Times
