Guwahati: Water pipe burst floods Kharghuli streets and damages property

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: A massive pipeline burst in Guwahati's Kharghuli near judges' quarters on Thursday morning disrupted daily life, leaving residents grappling with flooded streets and damaged property. The incident, which occurred at around 10:15 a.m., caused extensive damage to more than five homes, seven vehicles, and several business establishments.

The surge of water, lasting over 40 minutes, inundated the locality before police and fire services managed to bring the situation under control. Residents, however, remain burdened by the extensive property losses.

Assam's Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah revealed that the burst occurred during preparations to commission a surge protection tank at the Kharghuli Water Treatment Plant.

"We had suggestions from IIT Guwahati experts to install a surge protection tank to minimize pressure on pipelines. The tank was to be commissioned on Friday, and water supply was halted for this purpose. However, due to a power interruption, pressure built up, causing the pipeline to burst," Mallabaruah explained.

Pallav Gopal Jha, Managing Director of the Guwahati Metropolitan Drinking Water and Sewage Board, said, "We planned a three-day water supply halt to commission the surge tank. Unfortunately, the accident occurred."

Facing heated confrontations from affected locals, Jha promised an assessment of the damage and a discussion on compensation with the district administration.

Panchami Choudhury, secretary of the Guwahati Jal Board, said, "Although water supply was halted immediately, residual water in the pipelines made it difficult to control the flow. Water continued to gush out for several minutes after the shutdown."

The Guwahati Jal Board (GJB) had posted a notice on social media earlier in the day, warning residents of potential water leakages due to flushing and testing of the distribution network. The notice mentioned areas such as Kharghuli, Joypur, Ramsa Hill, Hirimbapur, Silpukhuri, and Dighalipukhuri.

The post reads, "During the trial run, there may be water leakages at certain locations, which our team will promptly address. We request the cooperation of all concerned during this exercise."

The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and reliability of the city's water infrastructure. The GJB attributed the disaster to an unforeseen rupture in the transmission main pipeline and pledged to investigate the cause thoroughly.

Residents, meanwhile, are left dealing with the aftermath of flooding and significant property damage, awaiting clarity on compensation and long-term measures to prevent such incidents.

Also Read: Water Pipe Burst in Guwahati's Uzan Bazar Due to Malfunctioning Valve

Also Watch: