Dipak Kurmi
(The writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com.)
Guwahati, the bustling capital of Assam and a vital gateway to Northeast India, grapples with a persistent and debilitating challenge: artificial flooding. Unlike natural floods driven by the mighty Brahmaputra River’s seasonal overflow, artificial floods stem from human-induced factors—unplanned urbanisation, inadequate drainage systems, and environmental degradation. These inundations disrupt daily life, paralyse transportation, and inflict economic losses, raising a pressing question: Can Guwahati ever control its artificial floods? This article explores the roots of the problem, evaluates ongoing efforts, and assesses the feasibility of achieving a flood-free future for the city.
Guwahati’s topography, nestled between the Brahmaputra River and the surrounding hills, makes it naturally prone to water accumulation. However, the city’s rapid and often unregulated urban expansion has exacerbated this vulnerability. Over the past few decades, Guwahati has transformed from a modest urban centre into a sprawling metropolis, with its population swelling due to migration and economic opportunities. Wetlands, which once served as natural sponges for excess rainwater, have been encroached upon or filled for construction. Hills, stripped of vegetation due to deforestation and illegal earth-cutting, contribute to silt-laden runoff that clogs drains. The city’s drainage infrastructure, much of it outdated or poorly maintained, struggles to cope with even moderate rainfall. A single heavy downpour can transform roads into rivers, stranding commuters and inundating homes.
The consequences of artificial flooding are starkly evident in areas like Hatigaon, Chandmari, Rukminigaon, and Satgaon. In August 2024, for instance, a mere 90-minute deluge brought Guwahati to a standstill, with arterial roads submerged and traffic jams stretching for kilometres. The India Meteorological Department recorded 78.4 mm of rainfall in a single day, the highest of the season, overwhelming the city’s drainage capacity. Residents reported water lingering for days, disrupting schools, businesses, and emergency services. Tragically, such events are not isolated. In 2022, an eight-year-old boy lost his life after falling into a stormwater drain, underscoring the human toll of these preventable disasters.
The root causes of Guwahati’s artificial floods are multifaceted. Rapid urbanisation, often described as “haphazard”, has led to the loss of natural water bodies and green cover. According to a 2020 study, the city’s urban population grew from 80.23% in 2001 to 82.9% in 2011, with built-up areas expanding at the expense of wetlands and vegetation. This unchecked growth has disrupted natural drainage patterns, leaving the city ill-equipped to handle heavy rains. Encroachment on drainage channels, such as those leading to Silsako Beel or the Bharalu River, further aggravates the problem. In Satgaon, for example, drains meant to carry water from the hills to natural channels have been reduced to a fraction of their original width due to illegal constructions. Additionally, the dumping of garbage and plastic waste into drains creates blockages, a problem compounded by a lack of civic discipline among residents and inadequate waste management systems.
Environmental factors beyond Guwahati’s borders also play a significant role. Heavy rainfall in neighbouring Meghalaya, particularly in the Ri-Bhoi district, sends torrents of water and sediment into the city. In August 2024, Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma noted that 100 mm of rainfall in Ri-Bhoi, coupled with 60 mm in Guwahati, triggered unprecedented flooding. The red hue of the floodwater, attributed to Meghalaya’s soil, highlighted the cross-border nature of the issue. Climate change further intensifies the challenge, with experts like Dr Partha J. Das pointing to an increase in extreme rainfall events. These events, driven by global warming, deliver concentrated downpours that overwhelm Guwahati’s infrastructure, a problem likely to worsen without proactive intervention.
Efforts to mitigate artificial flooding have been ongoing, with varying degrees of success. The Assam government, in coordination with the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), has implemented several measures. De-siltation of major channels like Bharalu, Mora Bharalu, Basistha, Bahini, and Lakhimijan remains a priority, aimed at restoring their capacity to carry stormwater. The deployment of super sucker machines for drain cleaning, as announced in March 2025, reflects a technological approach to tackling blockages. Additionally, the government has proposed enlarging Silsako Lake to serve as a reservoir for excess water, with plans to connect it to the Brahmaputra River. A large-scale drainage project from Khanapara-Koinadhara to Gurudwara is also underway, targeting water inflow from Meghalaya.
Regulatory measures have been introduced to curb environmental degradation. Building by-laws now mandate rainwater harvesting structures in new constructions, aiming to reduce runoff. The government has also cracked down on illegal hill-cutting, with Chief Minister Sarma controversially attributing some flooding to activities by institutions like the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya. Community efforts, such as afforestation drives and baseline surveys of hill populations, aim to restore ecological balance and relocate encroachers to sustainable accommodations. These initiatives, while promising, face hurdles in implementation, including bureaucratic delays, funding constraints, and resistance from entrenched interests.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist. The city’s drainage system remains a patchwork of old and new, with many roads lacking adequate roadside drains or proper gradients. The Noonmati drainage system, completed in recent years, has shown success in diverting water to the Brahmaputra, but its impact is limited to specific areas. Encroachment continues to be a thorny issue, as political considerations and vote-bank dynamics deter decisive action against illegal settlers. Moreover, the lack of long-term planning has been a recurring critique. A 2022 report noted that flood management plans were dropped from the Guwahati Smart City initiative, prioritising projects like riverfront development over critical infrastructure upgrades. This short-sightedness has left the city vulnerable to recurring inundations.
The question of whether Guwahati can control its artificial floods hinges on a delicate balance of infrastructure, policy, and community action. Experts argue that a comprehensive urban planning strategy is essential, one that integrates modern drainage systems, sustainable land use, and robust waste management. The proposed sewage system, announced in 2025, could alleviate pressure on existing drains by separating stormwater and wastewater. Collaboration with neighbouring states like Meghalaya is also critical to manage cross-border water flows. Climate adaptation measures, such as green infrastructure and wetland restoration, could enhance the city’s resilience to extreme weather events.
Public awareness and civic responsibility are equally vital. The clogging of drains with plastic waste and garbage underscores the need for behavioural change. Initiatives like installing CCTV cameras to deter illegal dumping and developing real-time grievance systems, as suggested in 2022, could foster accountability. However, these measures require sustained political will and public cooperation, both of which have been inconsistent.
Looking ahead, Guwahati’s path to a flood-free future is fraught but not unattainable. The government’s recent commitment to infrastructure reforms, coupled with technological interventions like IIT Guwahati’s studies on urban flooding, offers hope. Yet, success depends on addressing systemic issues—encroachment, deforestation, and inadequate planning—with urgency and coherence. Climate change, an ever-looming threat, demands that solutions be forward-looking, prioritising sustainability over temporary fixes.
Controlling artificial floods in Guwahati is a complex but achievable goal. It requires a concerted effort to overhaul infrastructure, enforce regulations, and restore the city’s ecological balance. While progress has been made, the scale of the challenge demands greater ambition and coordination. For the residents of Guwahati, who endure the chaos of flooded streets and disrupted lives, the promise of a resilient city is both a necessity and a hope worth pursuing. Only time will tell if Guwahati can rise above its artificial floods, but with the right measures, the city could transform its vulnerability into strength.