Guwahati, Aug. 16: A WhatsApp group formed by government officials for flood mitigation played an important role in reducing waterlogging in the city this year.

The use of the mobile messaging app helped in rapid exchange of information and directives within the government machinery, which went a long way in giving Guwahatians much-needed respite from the usual flooding this monsoon.

An official source told The Telegraph that the WhatsApp group, Mission Flood Free Guwahati, created on the instance of additional chief secretary M.G.V.K. Bhanu, had participants from top officials to the operators of the pumps installed to flush out the excess rainwater from the low-lying areas.

He said besides Bhanu, officers of the Kamrup (metro) district administration, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), Guwahati Municipal Corporation, water resources department, police, fire and emergency services, district disaster management authority and PWD, among others, were included in the group.

"Whatever information the flood control room, set up on the ground floor of the Kamrup (metro) deputy commissioner's office received, was immediately posted in the group and the officials concerned swung into action, even in the dead of night, to fix the problem as early as possible," the source said.

"They not only had to address the problem but also click pictures and post them in the group to show the problem had indeed been sorted out. With the help of WhatsApp, the supervisory officers were able to keep tabs on the actual work carried out on the ground apart from monitoring the situation round the clock."

According to the source, the group ensured better coordination between various government agencies, prevented a lot of hassles and also increased accountability.

Giving an example, he said when heavy rainfall occurred, the pump operators were directed on WhatsApp to switch on the pumps and officers rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. "In case of any delay in operating the pumps, an explanation was sought from the operators and the officials concerned."

"The purpose of the group is to enhance connectivity within the administration, even after office hours and on holidays. Sometimes, the information or directives issued by the government and senior officials take time to reach various departments owing to various factors. The app helped us quickly deliver information and instructions within seconds resulting in faster action by doing away with formalities like taking approval from higher authorities and passing files," he said.

This year, the flood problem eased to a large extent because of proper cleaning of drainage channels, making the rivulets and waterbodies like the Bharalu, Bondajan, Silsako Beel, Sorusola and Borsola Beels and Deepor Beel free from encroachment and blockages.

"The officers engaged in cleaning, desilting and widening of the rivulets and waterbodies had to regularly post in the group photographs of the work done," he said.

He said top bureaucrats and police officers, too, had formed a WhatsApp group and Bhanu has been issuing instructions to the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police and seeking reports on different matters.