Guwahati: Flash floods hit city after heavy rains & hill runoff

STAFF REPORTER

Guwahati: In yet another grim reminder of the city’s chronic urban flooding crisis, heavy rainfall early Thursday morning led to flash floods and widespread waterlogging across Guwahati. The situation was further worsened by runoff from surrounding hills, including those in neighboring Meghalaya, contributing to the deluge that brought life in the city to a near standstill.

Among the worst-hit areas were Rukminigaon, Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Beltola, Hatigaon, and Wireless. In Rukminigaon, the flooding was so severe that roads became impassable and homes were partially submerged. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was deployed to assist residents, using rubber boats to access interior areas and ferry stranded locals to safety.

Other parts of the city, including Kahilipara, Khanapara, Jorabat, and Chandmari, also witnessed heavy waterlogging. Visuals from affected localities painted a grim picture of submerged vehicles, waterlogged streets, and residents wading through waist-deep water.

Commuters across the city faced significant disruptions, particularly along the Jorabat stretch of the National Highway, where traffic was brought to a virtual halt. Offices reported low attendance, schools remained closed in several localities, and emergency services struggled to navigate the flooded roads.

In contrast, some relief was seen in areas like GS Road, Chandmari, Ambari, and Lachit Nagar, where floodwaters began to recede gradually by afternoon. However, local authorities remain on alert as weather forecasts warn of continued rainfall over the next 48 hours. Residents have been urged to stay indoors unless necessary and to follow safety advisories.

The latest flooding has once again exposed the vulnerability of Guwahati’s urban planning and drainage infrastructure. Encroachments on natural water bodies like Silsako Beel, rampant construction on wetlands, and decades-old clogged drains have left the city incapable of handling even moderate rainfall events.

“This is not just about rain. It’s about years of unplanned urbanization and administrative indifference,” said a resident of Anil Nagar, standing outside his flooded home. “Every year it’s the same story, and every year, we are left to fend for ourselves.”

Environmental experts and civic groups have long warned that unless the city takes decisive steps—such as restoring natural water bodies, upgrading drainage systems, and enforcing building regulations—monsoon misery will continue to haunt Guwahati. The effects of climate change, with increasingly intense and erratic rainfall, only add urgency to the crisis.

While floodwaters may recede in the coming days, the real storm—of administrative inertia and poor planning—continues to hover over Guwahati. As the city counts its losses yet again, citizens are left asking the same question that echoes every monsoon: When will these ends?

The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has deployed multiple response teams to affected zones. Sanitation workers and emergency staff are on the ground, working continuously to drain water from flooded roads, clear clogged drains, and assist residents. “Our teams are working around the clock to ensure that the situation is brought under control as soon as possible,” said a GMC official.

The flash floods, a recurring phenomenon during the monsoon season, once again spotlight the city’s ongoing struggle with poor drainage infrastructure and unchecked urban expansion. Environmental experts have long warned that Guwahati’s vulnerability to such events is compounded by shrinking wetlands, encroachments, and lack of long-term flood management planning.

With more rainfall predicted in the coming days, city authorities are urging residents in low-lying areas to stay alert and limit outdoor activity unless necessary. Relief and rescue operations remain underway, with officials assuring continued monitoring and rapid response as the weather develops.

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