City of Water, Not Hills? Guwahati’s Flood Woes Far From Over

A short but intense spell of rainfall in the early hours of Tuesday has once again thrown life out of gear in Guwahati, as several key localities were submerged under artificial floods — a recurring crisis that continues to haunt the city with every downpour.

Areas such as Nabin Nagar, Anil Nagar, Zoo Road, Hatigaon, and Rukminigaon were the worst affected, with floodwaters rising up to knee and even waist level in some locations. By morning, scores of office-goers and daily commuters were seen wading barefoot through murky water, clutching their shoes and sandals in hand — a grim routine that has become the new normal for the city’s residents.

While the state government and concerned departments often tout their efforts and initiatives toward flood mitigation, the ground reality tells a different story. This single spell of rain has once again exposed the glaring gaps in Guwahati’s drainage and flood-control infrastructure.

The severity of the situation is further underscored by the fact that the city had not experienced any significant rainfall for over two weeks. Yet, just one episode of pre-dawn rain was enough to inundate vast stretches of the city. This points not to a natural calamity, but to man-made negligence and systemic failure.

Despite multiple plans, projects, and public statements by those in power, the basic reality remains unchanged — Guwahati is drowning in its own excuses. With every passing monsoon, the promises of better flood preparedness ring increasingly hollow.

As another rainy season unfolds, the people of Guwahati are left asking a familiar, painful question:
If one rain in the wee hours can submerge the city, what will happen when the real monsoon hits its stride?

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