Intense Rain Brings City to Standstill
Guwahati faced unprecedented disruption on Monday afternoon as an intense downpour led to massive flooding and traffic gridlock across the city. The torrential rain, which lasted for roughly an hour, resulted in widespread waterlogging, effectively bringing the bustling city to a standstill and creating significant challenges for residents and commuters alike.
Widespread Flooding Across Major Roads and Localities
The sudden and heavy rainfall came after several days of minimal precipitation, despite numerous weather warnings over the past weekend. The downpour caused substantial water accumulation throughout Guwahati, with significant flooding observed on several key roads and major thoroughfares. One of the most affected areas was GS Road, where water levels surged from knee-deep to waist-deep, severely hampering the movement of vehicles and causing a standstill in traffic.
Maniram Dewan Road, especially in the Chandmari locality, also experienced severe flooding, making it nearly impossible for smaller vehicles to navigate the area. Similarly, Zoo Road faced massive waterlogging, particularly beneath the flyover, further impeding traffic flow. On the National Highway, extensive waterlogging was reported at multiple points, rendering sections of the service lane unusable and exacerbating the traffic congestion.
Traffic Jams and Vehicle Pileups
The flooding extended to several localities across Guwahati, including Six Mile, Rukminigaon, Police Reserve, Hatigaon, Wireless, Panjabari, and Ganeshguri. These areas, which are crucial intersections and busy parts of the city, experienced severe waterlogging, leading to significant traffic disruptions. Vehicles were left stranded in stationary traffic, with many drivers forced to shut off their engines as they waited for the waters to recede.
In many of these localities, the water levels rose so high that they caused major pileups of vehicles behind those unable to move, creating long lines of stalled traffic. The situation was compounded by the lack of alternative routes, leaving commuters with few options for navigating the flooded areas.
Prolonged Traffic Disruptions Expected
Despite the rain lasting only about an hour, the impacts on traffic and daily life are expected to linger for several hours. The combination of heavy waterlogging and the slow drainage of floodwaters means that traffic congestion could continue well into the evening, affecting rush hour and further complicating the city’s transportation network.
As Guwahati’s residents and authorities begin the challenging task of managing the aftermath of this storm, the city’s infrastructure and flood management systems are once again put to the test. The severe weather highlights the need for improved urban planning and flood management strategies to better handle such extreme weather events in the future.
This latest bout of heavy rain serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Guwahati in maintaining effective traffic flow and managing urban flooding during severe weather conditions. The city will need to address these issues to mitigate the impact on its residents and ensure a more resilient infrastructure moving forward.
