Guwahati has been severely affected by heavy rainfall since Thursday night, resulting in extensive waterlogging across various parts of the city. A red alert has been issued for western and southern Assam, as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma warned of an “abnormal situation” due to persistent downpours and thick cloud cover. Several districts, including Kamrup, Dhubri, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, and Barpeta, are on high alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds ranging from 40 to 60 km/h.
In addition, an ‘orange alert’ is in effect for Darrang, Udalguri, Morigaon, Nagaon, Hojai, Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, and Sonitpur, with forecasts predicting thunderstorms, lightning, and more heavy rain with winds of 30 to 40 km/h. Tragically, the relentless rainfall has led to landslides in three areas of Guwahati, claiming the lives of five individuals.
Many educational institutions decided to shut down early, but students found themselves stranded on roads for hours due to the overwhelming waterlogged conditions. Furthermore, to avert accidents, around nine lakh residents lost electricity as approximately 100 transformers in the city were shut down. Residents have resorted to using inflatable rafts to navigate flooded streets, with students and office-goers wading through knee-deep waters to reach their destinations.
As the situation evolves, authorities are urging residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions amid the ongoing adverse weather conditions.
