Guwahati, April 20 (NationPress) Following a severe cloudburst that unleashed nearly 120 mm of rain within a few hours, resulting in extensive waterlogging throughout the city, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota held a high-level review meeting on Monday to evaluate the circumstances and ordered various agencies to take immediate action.

The extraordinary rainfall intensity exceeded the 120 mm recorded for an entire day on May 31, 2025, highlighting the seriousness of the latest flooding event. Areas prone to flooding, bustling roads, and residential neighborhoods were inundated, causing significant disruptions to traffic and daily activities across Guwahati.

Dr. Kota has tasked the India Meteorological Department, Assam State Disaster Management Authority, and District Disaster Management Authority with providing timely weather forecasts and advisories. These proactive alerts are designed to enable residents to take necessary precautions and plan their movements, supplemented by real-time traffic updates from the Guwahati city police.

The National Highways Authority of India has been instructed to maintain a 24/7 readiness of concessionaires to clear drainage culverts, operate pumps, and remove accumulated silt. Key highway sections requiring immediate focus include Tetelia–Jalukbari, Excel Care–Gorchuk, Koinadhara–Tripura Road, and Jorabat–Khanapara.

Additionally, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority, and Water Resources Department have been placed on high alert to manage waterlogging in vulnerable areas such as Anil Nagar, Navin Nagar, and Rukmini Nagar. The Public Works Department (Roads) is responsible for thorough desiltation of drains, particularly along GS Road near Bhangagarh, to avert future flooding incidents.

“Immediate, time-sensitive dredging, desiltation, and cleaning of drainage channels are mandated. Any failures in preparedness, maintenance, or response will result in strict accountability,” officials stated.

The district administration has initiated a magisterial inquiry into the death of an individual in Maligaon due to waterlogging on Sunday. Dr. Kota emphasized that fatalities from preventable causes are intolerable and will be addressed rigorously.

With forecasts from the India Meteorological Department predicting more rain and thunderstorms in the upcoming days, residents living in landslide-prone hilly regions are advised to remain vigilant. The administration is applying lessons learned from last year's landslides and is maintaining a heightened state of alert in susceptible areas.

Officials noted that sustained desiltation efforts have proven effective, with waterlogging near Jorabat being rapidly addressed due to prior enhancements towards Byrnihat. “This underscores the necessity of ongoing maintenance and proactive drainage initiatives,” remarked an official.

All relevant departments and agencies are working in close coordination around the clock to expedite drainage, clear affected areas, and restore normalcy as soon as possible. While conditions have improved in several parts of the city, targeted interventions continue in areas still grappling with waterlogging.

The Chief Secretary stressed the importance of collective readiness as the monsoon season is anticipated to bring further rainfall events. Residents are advised to steer clear of low-lying regions during heavy rains, adhere to official advisories, and promptly report instances of waterlogging to the appropriate authorities. Emergency contact numbers and helplines have been activated for reporting flooding or landslide incidents.