Assam: Rain lashes city, hits normal life

GUWAHATI, May 22, 2018: Heavy rain lashed the city on Monday evening, leading to flash floods and massive traffic snarls at Chandmari, on Zoo Road and GNB Road for over an hour.

Assam Disaster Management Authority and Assam Power Distribution Company Limited sources said the floods and traffic snarls were restricted to the three areas but the water cleared soon after the rain stopped after one-and-a-half hours.

A resident of GNB Road said almost knee-deep water had gathered in Chandmari, Ambari, Rajgarh, Bamunimaidam but cleared almost instantly, unlike in the past when it took several hours for the water to clear.

"There was heavy rain and traffic snarls but the water cleared almost instantly, which is a good sign," Sarat Das, a resident, said.

APDCL officials said they had to disconnect power in Uzan Bazar and Chandmari sub-divisions for over an hour given the severity of the rain but there was no injury or damage of any kind.

There is a forecast of heavy rain on Tuesday.

Dispur and its adjoining areas, which are prone to artificial flooding, however, received much less rainfall compared to other parts of the city on Monday and thus, remained free of waterlogging.

According to sources, the cleaning of the drains ahead of the rains had helped in the smooth draining out of the water but residents feel the administration needs to "keep working on" ensuring that the city remainsflood-free because the monsoon is yet to arrive. There may be heavy rain for "several hours at a stretch" then.

Apart from the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, the public works department, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority and the water resources department have also been involved in the cleaning of drains. The GMC has also appealed to the citizens to abstain from throwing garbage in the drains.

Source: The Telegraph

Featured image: India.com