Guwahati Faces Severe Flooding Due to Heavy Rainfall
Guwahati's Struggles with Flooding
Guwahati, May 31: On Friday, Guwahati experienced significant disruptions as continuous rainfall led to widespread flooding, leaving many residents in distress.
Students and individuals requiring urgent medical assistance were among the most affected. Numerous students found themselves stranded in knee-deep water, resulting in delays or absences from their examinations.
The flooding also posed challenges for patients, as inundated roads and a near-total collapse of public transport hindered timely access to hospitals.
Paulson Prasad, a student at NEF Law College, shared that many of his classmates arrived late for their exams, while others were unable to attend due to the flooding that paralyzed the city.
“Some of us were late by an hour or even two due to severe waterlogging and transportation issues. I had to leave my bike at a friend's place and wade through the flooded streets to reach college. A friend from Six Mile couldn’t leave his house because of waist-deep water,” Prasad explained.
He expressed concern about the possibility of re-examinations for those who missed their tests, stating, “As final semester students, we are anxious about whether the university will allow us to retake the exams due to the floods.”
Sumitra Gogoi, another resident, faced a challenging situation when her elderly mother required immediate medical care in Bharalumukh. She described her difficult journey home through the submerged streets.
“My mother needed urgent medical help, and I was with her in Bharalumukh. I traveled from Maligaon to Jalukbari, navigating heavily flooded areas. It took me four hours to get home to my mother,” she recounted.
In response to the flooding, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, along with Guwahati Mayor Mrigen Sarania and officials from the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), conducted inspections of the affected areas.
“Our long-term strategy to address this issue involves constructing road-cum-drain systems. Although railings have been installed, they have not been sufficient. We will assess our progress after this year's monsoon season,” he stated during a press briefing at Juripar.
The GMC has deployed drainage pumps to assist in water removal in severely impacted areas, including Last Gate, Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Bhangagarh, Rukminigaon, Birubari, Bormotoria, and Hatigaon.
Additionally, the GMC’s Safai Mitras worked tirelessly overnight to clear debris and garbage obstructing drains in various parts of the city, including Barowari, Latasil, and Uzan Bazar.