GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday, August 12, attributed the severe waterlogging in and around Dispur to high-velocity water runoff from the hills of Meghalaya, particularly in the Jorabat area.
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Addressing a press conference at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur, Sarma said excessive hill cutting and the destruction of forest cover in the Jorabat hills had removed natural barriers that once helped slow the flow of rainwater towards Guwahati.
“I have mentioned earlier that for the areas surrounding Dispur, the main reason behind severe waterlogging is the high-velocity water runoff coming down from Meghalaya,” the Chief Minister said.
Sarma referred to a report submitted by a committee constituted by the Supreme Court, which, according to him, identified a reserved forest in the Jorabat hills that has since been completely destroyed.
“The Supreme Court had constituted a committee, and that committee has already submitted a report stating that there was a reserved forest in Jorabat. That reserve forest was completely destroyed,” Sarma said.
He said the loss of forest cover has resulted in large volumes of rainwater rushing down the hills during periods of intense rainfall, contributing to waterlogging in the Dispur area.
“Now, when heavy water flows down from there, no one has immediate ways to stop it because, during intense rainfall, an unimaginable volume of water gushes down without any barrier,” the Chief Minister said.
Sarma maintained that a long-term solution to the problem would require intervention in Meghalaya, particularly measures to reclaim and restore the affected forest areas.
“Therefore, the ultimate solution must be implemented in Meghalaya. We need to reclaim that forest area somehow,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said the matter is already pending before the Supreme Court. However, given the urgency of the situation, the Assam government plans to approach the apex court with a petition seeking quicker action.
“A case is already ongoing in the Supreme Court, and we will file a petition so that steps can be taken quickly,” Sarma said.
The statement comes amid recurring episodes of severe waterlogging in several parts of Guwahati following heavy rainfall, with areas around Dispur among those frequently affected.