Guwahati's Flooding Crisis: A Call for Sustainable Urban Planning

Guwahati's Struggles with Urban Flooding

Following each rainfall, Guwahati finds itself submerged, not only in water but also in issues stemming from neglect and ineffective governance. Flooding is not an unavoidable fate; rather, a city should progress in terms of civic infrastructure, living standards, and urban planning. Unfortunately, Guwahati appears to be regressing. The events of May 30 highlighted this failure in urban planning and misguided governmental focus.

On May 30, Guwahati experienced a significant rainfall of 111 mm, categorized as 'very heavy rainfall' by meteorological standards. However, recent flooding incidents indicate that the city's stormwater drainage system, if it exists, struggles to cope even with moderate rainfall (below 64.4 mm). Historically, Guwahati has faced intense rainfall, with the highest recorded at 194.3 mm on June 5, 1956. Numerous instances have seen 24-hour rainfall surpassing 111 mm, making the events of May 30 far from 'abnormal,' as suggested by the Chief Minister. Indeed, rainwater has always flowed down from Meghalaya.

However, flooding in Guwahati transcends natural occurrences; it is a crisis exacerbated by inadequate planning and short-sighted decisions. To shield cities from recurring flood disasters, sustainable urban planning that acknowledges natural ecosystems and anticipates climate change is crucial. The frequent urban flooding, occurring almost after every rain, starkly illustrates the consequences of poor urban planning in the capital.

Chaotic development has unveiled significant weaknesses in the city's governance and planning. Despite experiencing repeated disasters, resilience remains elusive, primarily due to misguided governmental priorities. Infrastructure projects backed by the government continue to undermine ecological buffers, prioritizing development over sustainability, despite court mandates and public outcry.

While announcements regarding smart city initiatives and beautification projects make headlines, essential vulnerabilities such as drainage, waste management, and water body protection remain unaddressed. In contrast, Singapore transformed from a flood-prone city into one of Asia's most flood-resilient urban centers. It faced flooding challenges until recently but responded with robust, science-based urban planning, investing in extensive drainage systems, enforcing strict anti-encroachment policies, and incorporating water bodies into urban design.

This starkly contrasts with Guwahati, which has suffered from political neglect and poor planning. Today, Guwahati stands at a pivotal moment. It can either persist in reactive politics and environmental degradation or pivot towards a model of resilience, sustainability, and equity. Until governmental priorities align with the realities faced by citizens, achieving a truly resilient Guwahati will remain an elusive goal.