Guwahati faced severe disruption on Tuesday afternoon as a 45-minute downpour submerged significant parts of the city. Heavy rain commenced around noon, affecting areas such as Beltola, Hatigaon, Kahilipara, and Jorabat, which connects the city to other districts of Assam and Meghalaya. The flooding resulted in halted traffic and standstill movement as commuters feared engine failure and pedestrians struggled to navigate the waterlogged streets. Two-wheelers climbed onto footpaths, complicating matters further.
Beltola, a vital route to the national highway, saw about 300 meters of road submerged, paralyzing the movement of ambulances and city buses. In Hatigaon’s Sijubari area, residents waded through knee-deep water, dealing with submerged footpaths and precarious walking conditions due to ongoing construction.
Traveler Meghali Das remarked on the recurring issue during monsoon seasons, while local resident Parvez Alam noted the flooding even during sunny days, emphasizing the chronic nature of the problem. Social media users criticized the government for failing to provide a permanent solution to the frequent flooding.
The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) deployed a task force to monitor the situation, noting heavy water flow from Meghalaya via an inner drain near the Veterinary College campus. The recurring flooding highlights the city’s infrastructural inadequacies and exacerbates public frustration, underscoring an urgent need for effective and lasting solutions.
In related news, similar weather disruptions have been observed elsewhere. In Gujarat, Vadodara residents performed Garba in knee-deep water during Janmashtami celebrations, while in Delhi, an IIT report revealed that 44% of roads lack proper footpaths, posing risks to pedestrians. Vadodara also witnessed flooding in the MSU archaeology department, endangering ancient Buddha statues.
Guwahati’s flooding scenario is a glaring sign of the challenges that recurrent heavy rains pose in urban settings, demanding immediate and sustainable infrastructure improvements.
Original Story https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/guwahati-city-paralyzed-by-45-minute-downpour/articleshow/113046081.cms
Category :
Tags:
