Outrage Erupts as Assam CM Accuses Meghalaya’s USTM of Causing Devastating Guwahati Flash Floods – Northeast News
Guwahati: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Blames USTM for Flash Floods
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday identified the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) as the main culprit behind the recent flash floods in Guwahati.
Sarma asserted that USTM’s location obstructs the natural inflow of water from the Meghalaya hills to Guwahati, exacerbating flood conditions. The university is strategically placed on the Assam-Meghalaya border at Baridua, 9th mile in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi District.
CM Sarma intends to discuss the issue with his Meghalaya counterpart, Conrad Sangma, to devise a solution. "The damage is already done. Our focus now is to divert the water inflow to Deepor Beel or Silsaku Beel," he said.
Sarma criticized USTM’s construction practices, stating, "USTM has excavated a significant portion of the hill, leveraging their presence in both Guwahati and Meghalaya. Over 4-5 hills of Meghalaya have been cut to construct the university. Initially, the Assam government should have engaged with Meghalaya to choose a different location for the university.”
He also mentioned the nearby Delhi Public School as part of the issue. Historically, water from the Meghalaya hills flowed gradually, but since USTM’s establishment, Guwahati has seen unprecedented water flow rates.
The chief minister highlighted that Guwahati received 25% of the season’s rainfall in just one day, overwhelming the city’s inadequate drainage system. Sarma stressed that such extreme weather events occur once or twice a year, leading to uncontrollable situations.
To mitigate future flooding, Sarma advocated for enhanced infrastructure and strategic planning. He emphasized the need for proactive measures to handle heavy rainfall effectively and prevent recurrent flooding issues in Guwahati.
This professional discourse underscores the urgency to address infrastructure shortcomings and inter-state cooperation to tackle the perennial flooding challenges in Assam’s capital.
Original Story https://nenews.in/assam/assam-cm-blames-meghalayas-ustm-for-flash-floods-in-guwahati/12657/
Category : Assam,Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma,USTM
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