IMD issues red alert for Assam as Guwahati battles severe flooding and heavy rains triggered by a developing low-pressure system.Guwahati: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Assam, forecasting very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over the next two to three days. The state capital Guwahati, along with several southern and western districts, is expected to bear the brunt of this intense weather system. This warning follows the development of a well-defined low-pressure area over the Northwest Bay of Bengal, near the Odisha coast, which is expected to strengthen into a depression within the next 24 hours.
The IMD has highlighted that the associated cyclonic circulation, reaching up to 7.6 kilometres above sea level, may bring widespread heavy rains, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds to districts including Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup, Cachar, Hailakandi, Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, and Chirang among others.
Guwahati has already been severely affected by continuous heavy rain over the past two days, resulting in extensive waterlogging and flash floods that have disrupted life in multiple localities. Since May 28, key areas such as Rukminigaon, Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Beltola, Hatigaon, Wireless, and B. Borooah Road have been inundated, with streets turning into flowing water channels, vehicles stranded, and homes and shops submerged. In several low-lying neighbourhoods, water levels have risen above knee height, forcing residents to evacuate and causing significant property damage.
Experts point to blocked drainage systems, unchecked hill-cutting, and encroachment of wetlands as major factors exacerbating Guwahati’s flood vulnerability. The Assam State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been deployed extensively, conducting rescue operations with rubber boats in places like Rukminigaon and distributing essential supplies. Temporary relief camps have been set up, though mass evacuations have not yet been announced.
