Guwahati, May 30: Guwahati turned into a city under siege by water on Friday, as relentless rainfall since Thursday night swamped roads, homes, and daily life. Streets became rivers, public transport collapsed, schools shut down, and the Assam government scrambled to respond to what locals are calling one of the most disruptive spells of weather in recent memory.
With over 32 mm of rain recorded on Friday alone — and 40 mm at Gauhati University — the city buckled under nature’s pressure. Waterlogging affected key neighbourhoods, including Rukminigaon, Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Beltola, Hatigaon, Wireless, and B. Borooah Road, submerging roads and stranding vehicles. Many low-lying areas reported water levels rising above knee height, triggering power outages and flooding homes and businesses.
Children trying to reach school became unlikely symbols of the crisis, as images circulated of students boarding rubber boats to navigate inundated streets. Dozens of school buses were marooned mid-route, leaving young passengers cold, wet, and exhausted. In a swift response, the Assam government declared Saturday, May 31, a holiday for all government schools in Guwahati. Special leave was also granted to government employees, except those living in government quarters, who are still required to report to duty.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attributed the downpour to a depression over Bangladesh that is causing persistent cloud formation over Assam. He stated that the worst might subside by Saturday afternoon, with better conditions expected from June 1. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, warning of more intense rainfall, squally winds (30–50 kmph), lightning, and flooding over the next 48 to 72 hours.
The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) disconnected more than 100 transformers to prevent electrical hazards as water gushed through residential and commercial areas. Restoration will only begin once water levels recede to safe levels.
Emergency helplines have been activated by the district administration, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has deployed rubber boats to ferry stranded residents and deliver relief materials. Temporary shelters have been set up, though large-scale evacuations have not yet been ordered.
Experts are once again pointing to chronic urban mismanagement as a key culprit. Decades of unregulated hill-cutting, drainage blockage, and encroachment on wetlands have eroded Guwahati’s natural ability to manage rainwater. Despite high-profile initiatives like “Mission Flood Free Guwahati,” critics argue that efforts to clean drains like Bharalu and Mora Bharalu have come too late, and too slowly.
Environmentalists are calling for stricter building regulations, wetland protection, and a sustainable drainage master plan to prevent future breakdowns. “This isn’t just a rain problem. It’s a planning failure,” said a senior hydrologist from IIT-Guwahati.
With streets underwater, city buses ran sporadically, bike taxis disappeared, and even rickshaws kept away. Office-goers struggled to commute, and many businesses shifted to work-from-home mode. Food delivery platforms halted services in several areas, leaving workers stranded and hungry. “I survived on dry biscuits and tea,” said a frustrated marketing executive in Christian Basti.
Small business owners, particularly in Hatigaon and Beltola, suffered devastating losses. “Footfall is zero, and I’m sweeping water out of my shop instead of serving customers,” said a local vendor. The scene repeated across the city: closed shutters, drenched shelves, and empty wallets.
The IMD warns that a low-pressure system forming near the Odisha coast could evolve into a depression and bring more devastation to Assam. Several districts — including Kamrup Metro and Rural, Cachar, Dhubri, and Goalpara — are on high alert. The Brahmaputra River is under close watch, though it currently remains below the danger level.
Residents are being urged to stay indoors, avoid flood-prone zones, and keep emergency supplies on hand. Authorities warn that the coming days could test the city’s limits even further.
As rescue teams push forward, and citizens brace for what lies ahead, one thing is clear — Guwahati is not just facing heavy rain. It’s confronting the consequences of years of urban neglect.
