Minister's Visit to Flood-Prone Areas

Guwahati, June 25: On Wednesday, Jayanta Mallabaruah, the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, conducted a visit to several flood-affected regions in Guwahati, where he proposed both immediate and long-term strategies to address the city's persistent flooding issues.

Starting his tour at 11 am, the minister's first stop was Rukminigaon, an area severely impacted by flash floods. He was accompanied by officials from various departments, including the GMDA, GMC, DDMA, and local council representatives, to evaluate the situation firsthand.

After engaging in discussions with residents and officials, Mallabaruah revealed that a significant drainage canal is under construction in Rukminigaon. This project aims to alleviate frequent waterlogging and is expected to be completed within the next two to three days.

“Guwahati is an unplanned city, facing increasing challenges with waterlogging and flash floods each year. While it’s nearly impossible to completely halt water flow, we are working on effectively channeling it from Rukminigaon via the new canal,” the minister stated.

He also introduced innovative flood mitigation measures, including the deployment of plastic flood barriers, a first for the city. “These barriers have proven effective in Chennai, and we anticipate they will help minimize floodwater intrusion into lower-lying areas here,” he added.

In addition, eco-blocks are being installed for the first time in Rukminigaon, particularly at road intersections. These permeable blocks are designed to redirect excess rainwater into the ground, promoting groundwater recharge and reducing surface runoff.

Regarding the Bahini River, Mallabaruah noted that while the embankment height has increased by about half a meter, further dredging of the riverbed is limited beyond a certain depth.

He also mentioned that similar measures will be applied in Chandmari during the second phase of the city's flood mitigation strategy.

As part of long-term initiatives, the minister announced that all builders are now required to implement effective rainwater drainage systems on their properties. “These systems will aid in recharging the groundwater table and help prevent flooding. Official directives have been issued, and strict actions will be enforced against non-compliance,” he stated, emphasizing that his team would conduct inspections to ensure adherence.

Furthermore, Mallabaruah indicated that desilting operations at Shilsako Beel will take place during the dry season to restore its water retention capacity, a crucial step for flood management in the area.

The minister's visit and the proposed measures signify a more proactive and integrated approach to tackling Guwahati's enduring flood challenges. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives in providing lasting relief to the city remains to be evaluated.