Heavy Rain Floods Guwahati, Causes Major Disruption
After a night of heavy rain, Guwahati in Assam faced serious flooding on Tuesday. Many roads and houses were under water, making it very difficult for people to go about their daily lives.
In many areas, people had to walk through knee-deep water. In some places, the water level even reached up to the chest. Important parts of the city like Zoo Road, Nabin Nagar, Hatigaon, Ganeshguri, Gita Nagar, Maligaon, Hedayetpur, Guwahati Club, Ulubari, Lachit Nagar, Chandmari, and Panjabari were all badly affected by flooding.
Other areas such as GS Road, Jorabat, Tarun Nagar, Jatia, Jyotikuchi, Ghoramara, VIP Road, Rukmini Gaon, Survey, and Chatribari also saw heavy waterlogging.
Schools Closed, Vehicles Stranded
Because of the flooded roads, many schools cancelled classes, especially where exams were going on. School buses were unable to move. Several vehicles, including ambulances, got stuck in water, and many people faced problems reaching their destinations.
Throughout the day, traffic jams were seen all over the city as most roads were flooded. Many houses were filled with water, and some areas also experienced power cuts. People living in the so-called ‘smart city’ had a very hard time. (Also read: Bengaluru Sinks Again Tech Hubs Turn to Rivers)
More Rain Expected, Warns Weather Department
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that more heavy rain is expected over the next two to three days in Assam. On May 20, Guwahati received 112.5 mm of rainfall.
According to IMD, the western and southern parts of Assam may get even more rain—up to 200 mm in some areas. In Guwahati, this could lead to more waterlogging, traffic problems, falling of trees, and even landslides in hilly places.
Emergency teams are on standby, and officials are closely watching the situation. People, especially those living in low-lying or hilly areas, have been asked to stay alert. Authorities have also requested citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and follow weather updates and government instructions.
Minister Visits Flooded Areas, Blames Hillside Water
Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah visited some of the affected areas on a two-wheeler. He said that rainwater from the nearby hills of Meghalaya made the situation worse.
“We have a few sluice gates, but they are not enough to handle such a large amount of water,” he told the media. He also said that pumping water out of flooded homes is not working well yet.
Baruah again blamed the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), saying they were cutting hills on their campus for construction. He called it “flood jihad” and said this was making the flooding worse. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had also made similar claims earlier.
High Court Earlier Criticised Government
Last year in August, the Gauhati High Court had criticised the Assam government for not handling Guwahati’s waterlogging problems properly. The court said a proper plan was needed and fined four government departments Rs 1,000 each for not replying to court notices.
This latest flooding has again shown the poor condition of the city’s drainage system. People are demanding long-term solutions to fix this recurring problem.
Also read: Hera Pheri 3 in Trouble Akshay Slaps Rs. 25 Crore Lawsuit on Paresh Rawal.