Heavy Rains Trigger Waterlogging and Traffic Chaos in Guwahati

Heavy Rains Cause Waterlogging and Traffic Disruptions in Guwahati

Heavy rains struck Assam’s Guwahati early on April 22, causing widespread flooding and severe traffic disruptions across the city. The downpour, which lasted for two to three hours, left several major roads submerged under knee-deep water, making commuting extremely difficult.

Waterlogging was reported in key areas of the city, including Zoo Road, RG Baruah Road, GS Road, Nabin Nagar, Anil Nagar, Guwahati Club, Lachit Nagar, Chandmari, Panjabari, Jorabat, Tarun Nagar, and Survey, among others. The deluge created chaos, with vehicles struggling to navigate through the flooded streets, resulting in massive traffic snarls that slowed down movement across the city.

In addition to the waterlogging, power outages were reported in several affected areas, further complicating the situation for residents and commuters. The situation became even more challenging as thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, with speeds reaching up to 50-60 kmph, were predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to occur at isolated locations in Assam.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Guwahati issued a weather bulletin warning of more inclement weather in the coming hours, urging people to remain cautious due to the possibility of heavy rain and thunderstorms. The rainfall not only led to significant traffic disruptions but also exacerbated the already ongoing concerns regarding the city's drainage and flood management systems.

This is not the first time that Guwahati has faced severe waterlogging issues following heavy rains. Last year, the Gauhati High Court remarked that it was high time for the government to take decisive action to tackle the persistent flooding problem in the city. The court emphasized that the authorities must work towards finding a permanent solution to the recurring waterlogging and flooding, which disrupts daily life and poses risks to public safety.

Despite the challenges, the local government has been under pressure to address the issue with urgency, especially given the severity of this latest round of rainfall. With the monsoon season approaching, authorities are expected to face growing scrutiny over the city’s flood management infrastructure, which has struggled to cope with increasing rainfall and urbanization.

As of now, the authorities are working to clear the roads and alleviate the waterlogging, but the situation remains tense. The government’s response to this flooding crisis could serve as a critical test of its commitment to addressing the longstanding issue of water management in Guwahati.

The city’s residents continue to voice their frustrations over the inadequate drainage systems, which fail to cope with even moderate rainfall. There are growing calls for more investment in improving the city's infrastructure, particularly in flood management, to prevent such disruptions in the future.

In the meantime, the people of Guwahati are left to deal with the immediate challenges posed by the rains, hoping that long-term solutions will be put into place soon to bring an end to their flood woes.