Creating havoc
Guwahati was underwater for completely 12–18 hours on October 6, after heavy showers poured in. There is no denying the fact that such heavy showers would bring flash floods to any big and developed city, be it Mumbai, Delhi, or even London. We have witnessed floods in those mentioned cities earlier, but the most disturbing news in the case of Guwahati is that it takes long hours for the flood water to disperse. The root causes of the city’s flash flood have already been discussed umpteen times. I just want to add one more cause, and that is the haphazard construction of flyovers across the length and breadth of the city. New flyovers have resulted in flooding in newer areas where earlier there was no flooding. Encroachment of wetlands and also drains and footpaths by various vendors has resulted in flash floods. Most vegetable, eatery, and fish vendors discharge their wastes onto the drains, resulting in clogging of the drains. The government has to continue clearing the encroachers of Silsako and Deepor Beel. No mercy should be shown to any organisation or association when it comes to clearing encroachment. Be it Ginger Hotel, Ajmal Properties, or the AATA Tennis Complex, all have to be cleared so that Silsako Beel is revived.
Pratuljyoti Buragohain,
Panjabari, Guwahati