STAFF REPORTER
Guwahati: The city of Guwahati was today grappling with the devastating impact of the early onset of the monsoon, as relentless rainfall and gusty winds since May 29 plunged the capital into a state of crisis. The forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) came true. What began as a heavy downpour later turned into widespread urban flooding, bringing life to almost a standstill across several parts of the city.
Morning commuters on May 30 bore the brunt, as peak-hour traffic collapsed amid the waist-deep flooding in several places, leaving many stranded for hours on end. This continued well into the late afternoon in places like GS Road in Rukminigaon, where traffic ground to a halt as vehicles got stranded by the under-construction flyover, and it took hours for cranes and rescue personnel to clear the vehicles, including a green city bus that had blocked a stretch of the narrow road. Even a school bus stalled on the flooded stretch, and concerned parents had to eventually rescue their terrified wards in the middle of a downpour that let up for some time in the afternoon before it resumed.
On the outskirts of the city, the situation in Jorabat has turned dire, with artificial flooding submerging key stretches of the National Highway—one of the primary routes connecting Upper Assam to Guwahati. Water levels surged to three feet in some areas, creating treacherous conditions for vehicles navigating through waterlogged roads, heightening the risk of accidents and breakdowns.
Within city limits, the picture is no better. Several prominent localities—including Chandmari, Hatigaon, Sijubari, Beltola, Rukminigaon, Rajgarh, Satgaon, Six Mile, and Nabin Nagar—have turned into virtual islands, submerged under floodwaters. Streets have been transformed into muddy canals, cars lie stranded, and residents are seen wading through waist-deep water.
In response, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was deployed to multiple low-lying areas, assisting with rubber boats as emergency rescue operations got underway. The ongoing crisis has been largely attributed to blocked drainage systems, haphazard urban development, and incomplete construction works that have crippled the city’s ability to cope with heavy rainfall.
Adding to commuters’ woes, the Inland Water Transport Department has suspended ferry services between Guwahati and North Guwahati—a vital lifeline for thousands of daily travellers. With the Brahmaputra River swelling and conditions along the riverbanks deemed unsafe, the suspension will remain in effect until further notice.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has issued a high alert for landslides, flagging 366 vulnerable zones within Guwahati alone. Residents, especially those in low-lying and hilly areas, have been strongly advised to stay indoors and adhere strictly to official advisories.
Landslides were reported from three areas in the city—Santipur, Nizarapar and Kharguli. However, there was no report of any casualty.
According to the IMD report at 2:30 PM, the rainfall recorded in and around Guwahati in the previous three hours was— Sonapur: 59.5 mm, Khetri: 58.5 mm, IASST Kamrup: 51.5 mm, Guwahati City (ARG): 48.5 mm, Chandrapur: 46.5 mm, Kalakshetra: 41.0 mm, Guwahati City (AWS): 42.5 mm, Guwahati Airport: 37.0 mm, Hengrabari: 33.0 mm, and Gauhati University: 36.5 mm.
With rainfall expected to continue in the coming hours, especially in Kamrup and Kamrup (Metro), authorities are on high alert. The IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) at Guwahati forecasts more moderate showers, potentially worsening an already grim situation.
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