Rainfall eases in Guwahati city, but floodwater lingers

GUWAHATI: Even though there was abatement in rainfall in Guwahati on Sunday, the flood situation remained more or less unchanged as there was limited reduction in the level of accumulated flood water.

Two landslides took in the Kamakhya area last night, resulting in blockage of the railway track.

Meanwhile, the guard wall on the river Bharalu at Anil Nagar developed a breach, sparking off panic among the local residents. The Kamrup (M) administration informed in a tweet that restoration work is being carried out in full swing by the Water Resources Department in the presence of officials from the district administration.

Nevertheless, local people expressed the apprehension that since the guard wall is very old, there is a possibility of the wall collapsing entirely if the water level continues to remain high over the next few days.

When contacted, newly-elected Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) Mayor Mrigen Sarania said that the flood situation in Nabin Nagar and Anil Nagar in particular will remain critical as long as the Bharalumukh sluice gate is not opened. However, this cannot be done now as the water level of the Brahmaputra is too high. Sarania expressed the hope that the water level of the Brahmaputra will recede within a few days and then the sluice can be opened to drain out the excess water of the badly-affected areas.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal tweeted: "The water level of river Brahmaputra is flowing 32 cm above the Bharalu river. Bharalumukh Sluice Gate remains closed. All pumps at Bharalumukh Pumping Station are working in full swing to pump out the city water."

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