Guwahati (Assam), May 31: Torrential rains battered Guwahati and other parts of Assam on Friday, causing widespread waterlogging, traffic disruption, and increasing the risk of landslides, as authorities brace for continued downpours over the weekend.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing a press conference at Lok Sewa Bhawan, said the situation remains critical and may persist through Saturday, urging public and private institutions to act in coordination with state advisories.
“The situation will remain the same tomorrow. The state government is monitoring it closely,” said CM Sarma. “Due to heavy rainfall in Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh, large areas have been affected.”
Emergency Measures Announced
In response to the worsening conditions, CM Sarma announced the following:
- June 1 (Saturday):
- Special Casual Leave for all state government employees in Kamrup and Kamrup (Metro).
- Closure of all schools and colleges in these districts.
- Private establishments advised to allow work-from-home or make necessary arrangements.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns about the resilience of urban infrastructure in Guwahati, which saw massive water accumulation in localities such as:
- Rukminigaon
- Beltola Survey
- Hatigaon
- Geetanagar
- Anil Nagar
- Lakhimi Nagar
- Jatia
- Maligaon
- Panjabari
Landslides and Red Alert
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Guwahati, issued a red alert for May 31 in the districts of:
- Chirang
- Baksa
- Barpeta
- Bongaigaon
- Bajali
- Tamulpur
- Darrang
At least three landslides were reported in Guwahati on Friday, though no casualties have been confirmed. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has cautioned residents about:
- Severe traffic disruptions
- Falling trees and utility poles
- Waterborne health hazards
- Increased risk of landslides in vulnerable zones
Regional Impact and Weather Outlook
The weather system responsible is a well-marked low-pressure area over the Northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast, which may intensify into a depression, bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms across the Northeast.
Assam-Meghalaya Dialogue on Hill Cutting
To address the long-standing issue of unregulated hill cutting, which exacerbates flooding and landslides in Guwahati, CM Sarma said:
“We have invited Meghalaya Chief Minister on June 2 to discuss the problem of rampant hill cutting and its devastating impact, especially on Guwahati.”
Public Advisory
The state government urges citizens to:
- Avoid unnecessary travel
- Stay away from landslide-prone areas
- Report tree falls, blocked drains, and landslide threats to municipal authorities or ASDMA helplines
- Follow updates from IMD and local authorities for real-time advisories