Flood-free Guwahati still a distant dream

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, July 30: It was speculated that this year the artificial flood will not hit the city residents. However, an evening shower on Monday has shocked the city for several hours. It was so appalling that hundreds of vehicles and commoners were stuck in different corners of the city. Starting from the MLA Hostel located at Dispur, major city points like Janata Bhawan, Ganeshguri, Last Gate, GS Road, Zoo Road Tiniali, Hatigaon, Narengi, Noonmati, Anil nagar, Nabin Nagar and Dharakanagar were heavily submerged by the artificial flash flood.

It was expected that after the dredging of the Silsaku Beel, Bharalu River and its tributaries in and around Guwahati, the severity of the city flash floods will be reduced. Moreover, construction of enlarged drains, cleaning of the existing canals altogether strengthened the speculation that it will contribute to the reduction of artificial flood. However, nothing has changed and flash flood continues to play havoc among the city residents.

Under this given situation, every right thinking person of the city is prompted to question the honesty of the State government as they categorically ensured that the situation will be improved much under their regime. However, may it be the Congress or the BJP, no successive State regime could tackle the phenomenon. Keeping in mind the gross failure of the line departments, the city residents are also forced to question the competency of the Guwahati Smart City Limited (GSCL). Instead of increasing the beautification, every shower washes away the surface of the city. Hence, one may only pray that Rain God Varuna may have mercy on the residents of Guwahati.