WATERWORLD
Guwahati, June 15: A 30-minute shower was all it took to inundate most localities here today, including areas that usually do not get flooded. The weatherman claimed it was normal monsoon rain and has forecast heavy showers in lower Assam over the next two days.
New areas like Guwahati Club, parts of Dispur and Kalapahar were inundated though the rainwater receded within 45 minutes.
Low-lying localities like Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Tarun Nagar and Zoo Road Tinali, parts of the GS Road, Ganeshguri, parts of Hengerabari, Hatigaon, Birubari, Maligaon, VIP Road, Panjabari Road, Express Highway and Maligaon were also inundated. Water receded from Lachit Nagar in an hour.
Commuters had a difficult time navigating the flooded roads. While some waded through the streets pulling their two-wheelers along, some chose to wait till the water receded. In areas like Tarun Nagar, some residents could be seen using makeshift rafts on the flooded streets.
"Our area does not get flooded. But the rains inundated the main road and it took about 45 minutes for the water to recede. The rainwater flowing down from the hills increased the woes," said Anil Sarkar, a resident of Bhaskar Nagar in Kalapahar.
"I commute to office via Guwahati Club, which does not get flooded. But today I noticed certain stretches had ankle-deep water," said G. Bora, a resident of Uzan Bazar.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, the city received 12.6mm rainfall from 11.30am to noon, which is within the normal monsoon range. The southwest monsoon hit the Northeast yesterday. "The monsoon arrived yesterday. Normal rainfall occurred today here and in different parts of the state. Rainfall is forecast in most places in the Northeast in the next few days, though the amount of rainfall will differ from place to place. However, lower Assam is likely to receive more rain in the next two days," said a Regional Meteorological Centre official.
The Kamrup district Disaster Management Authority has claimed the pumps used in low-lying areas were sufficient to flush out the excess water into the Bharalu.
"Although heavy rainfall inundated several places, the water receded within a short duration and we didn't have to conduct any rescue operation. Eight pumps, four each in Anil Nagar and Lachit Nagar, pumped out the excess rainwater into the Bharalu," said G. Talukdar, an official of the disaster management authority.
"We are prepared to deal with any situation arising out of heavy rainfall during the monsoon. We have sufficient boats to press into service in inundated areas through which the disaster response forces to rescue people," he said.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority has issued an alert that a low flood situation might occur in Chariduar, Na-Duar, Biswanath, Tezpur, Dhekiajuli revenue circles in Sonitpur district and Sivasagar, Demow and Sonari revenue circles in Sivasagar district during the next 24 to 36 hours. The Jiabharali, Belsiri and its sub-tributaries in Sonitpur district and the Desang in Sivasagar are flowing above the danger level.
Additional Kamrup district magistrate has prohibited illegal cutting, procurement and illegal transportation of hill soil with immediate effect.
This restrictive order has been issued keeping in mind the danger of erosion, landslide, blockage of drains and extensive danger to life and property as well as irreparable damage to the environment and loss of government revenue.
