Guwahati, the largest city in Assam, finds itself submerged under severe waterlogging and floods as the state grapples with relentless monsoon rains and a worsening weather pattern. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared a red alert across multiple districts, signalling the threat of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall for the next few days, further raising concern over public safety, infrastructure damage, and daily disruption.
Red Alert Across Assam as Monsoon System Intensifies
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) based in Guwahati has confirmed a red alert for May 31, focusing on Chirang, Baksa, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Bajali, Tamulpur, and Darrang districts. This alert comes in response to the formation of a low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal near the Odisha coast. The system is showing signs of deepening into a depression, which meteorologists expect will bring an intensifying spell of rainfall.
This weather development, fuelled by moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal, is set to impact several districts including Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup, Cachar, Hailakandi, Dhubri, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, and Chirang. Alongside torrential rainfall, these regions are expected to face frequent thunderstorms, lightning strikes, and strong gusty winds, adding to the risk of both floods and landslides.
Guwahati’s Drainage Crisis Magnified by Continuous Rainfall
Since May 28, Guwahati has faced a deluge, with some of the worst-hit areas including Rukminigaon, Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Beltola, Hatigaon, Wireless, Chandmari, and B. Borooah Road. Overflowing streets resemble canals, with vehicles submerged, businesses waterlogged, and homes facing extensive damage. In many low-lying zones, water levels have climbed beyond knee-height, forcing residents to evacuate on short notice.
The situation has once again highlighted long-standing urban planning failures, including poorly maintained drainage infrastructure, rampant encroachment on natural wetlands, and unregulated hill cutting, all of which have aggravated Guwahati’s flooding problem.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been deployed for immediate relief efforts. Teams using rubber dinghies are ferrying stranded residents to safer locations, while relief camps have been established in several submerged localities.
Daily Activities Crippled, Transport and Power Disrupted
Guwahati’s daily life has been thrown into disarray. Roads are impassable in many areas, and public transport has almost entirely stalled. The ferry service connecting Guwahati and North Guwahati, a vital lifeline for thousands of commuters, has been suspended due to safety concerns.
Frequent power outages have plunged neighbourhoods into darkness, raising alarms over health and sanitation. Schools and colleges across affected districts are closed, and government offices in Kamrup and Kamrup (Metro) have suspended regular operations by granting employees special leave to ensure safety.
The communications network has also been impacted, with mobile connectivity and internet services experiencing disruption in various locations.
Heavy Rain Impacts Neighboring States: Fatalities in Tripura and Meghalaya
While Assam remains at the epicenter of the current monsoon onslaught, neighboring states such as Tripura and Meghalaya are also facing the brunt. Fatalities linked to landslides and flash floods have been reported. Emergency evacuations are underway in vulnerable areas, particularly in the hilly districts where the soil has become saturated, increasing the risk of landslides.
In Assam, vulnerable districts such as Dhubri, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Hailakandi, Cachar, and Dima Hasao continue to face elevated risks. The constant downpour and saturated ground conditions are also raising alarm over the potential rise in vector-borne diseases, adding another layer of complexity to the crisis.
Government Deploys Resources, Urges Caution and Cooperation
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed the situation in a press conference in Guwahati, stating that the government is monitoring weather developments closely. He urged citizens to remain indoors and avoid travelling to low-lying or landslide-prone regions.
“All state government employees in Kamrup and Kamrup (Metro) have been granted special casual leave. Schools and colleges will remain closed. Private institutions are being advised to take adequate precautionary measures,” he said.
The administration has also been tasked with monitoring the water level in the Brahmaputra River, which has already begun to swell. Emergency teams remain on standby to respond to flash floods and landslides, and state-level coordination with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is being pursued for additional support.
Public Health Concerns Grow Amid Stagnant Water and Waste Overflow
The accumulation of stagnant rainwater has raised fears of potential outbreaks of water-borne diseases. Overflowing drains and garbage heaps in flooded areas are contributing to public health hazards, especially in densely populated localities. Authorities have urged residents to avoid consuming water from unreliable sources and to maintain hygiene.
Hospitals across Guwahati have reported a rise in cases of skin infections, diarrhea, and other monsoon-related ailments. With access to many areas restricted, healthcare workers are facing challenges in delivering medicines and supplies to those in need.
Urban Flooding Recurs—Long-Term Solutions Elusive
This is not the first time Guwahati has been paralyzed by monsoon rains. Despite repeated occurrences in recent years, comprehensive urban flood management solutions remain missing. Experts point out that Guwahati’s topography—marked by hills, wetlands, and the Brahmaputra’s tributaries—makes it particularly sensitive to rainfall-induced disasters. However, unchecked urbanisation and neglect of ecological safeguards have worsened the problem.
The failure to desilt drains before the monsoon season, coupled with construction on wetlands, has created a recipe for urban flooding, experts argue. Civic authorities, while initiating emergency relief operations, face criticism over poor preparedness.
Relief and Rehabilitation Measures Accelerated
The state government has directed district administrations to assess damage and expedite relief disbursement. Financial aid is being arranged for affected families, while damage surveys are underway. Special attention is being given to pregnant women, children, and the elderly in rescue shelters.
Food supplies, clean drinking water, and medical kits are being distributed, but access to certain areas remains limited. Rescue workers are battling both nature and infrastructure gaps, highlighting the urgent need for long-term resilience planning.
Impact on Agriculture and Economy Likely to Escalate
Beyond urban areas, flooding has impacted paddy fields, fish farms, and rural livestock, disrupting livelihoods and threatening food security. The Agriculture Department has begun a preliminary assessment of crop loss, and compensation schemes are expected to be announced shortly.
In the coming weeks, the cumulative economic loss due to damaged infrastructure, commercial shutdowns, and agricultural setbacks is expected to mount. Economists suggest that sectors dependent on intra-state logistics and perishable goods could see long-term disruptions.
Looking Ahead: Weather Outlook Remains Grim
The IMD forecasts continued heavy rainfall across Assam and neighbouring states through the first week of June. Meteorologists warn that the low-pressure system could sustain its intensity, leading to further rainfall, especially in western and southern Assam.
Emergency personnel are continuing to issue advisories urging the public to avoid unnecessary travel and to keep emergency contact numbers handy. Authorities are also keeping a watch on embankments along the Brahmaputra and its tributaries to prevent breaches.
Assam stands at a critical juncture as floodwaters continue to rise, particularly in Guwahati. The ongoing crisis not only reflects the severity of the current weather system but also exposes systemic shortcomings in urban planning, environmental protection, and disaster preparedness. While the state’s immediate response has been swift, the frequency of such events suggests that permanent solutions must be prioritised. As rainfall continues unabated, ensuring public safety and restoring normalcy will remain the foremost challenge in the days ahead.
