Guwahati flooded, troopers deployed to rescue residents

GUWAHATI - Authorities Tuesday deployed paramilitary troopers to carry out rescue operations in Assam’s main city of Guwahati hit by massive flooding, triggered by heavy rains since Sunday.

Troopers of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), using rubber boats and rafts, rescued more than 200 people from various city areas reeling under waist deep water.

“We have already rescued scores of people trapped inside homes filled with water, mud, and slush and we are on the lookout for more who could be desperately looking for help,” Anil Chauhan, NRDF commander, told IANS.

Heavy rains accompanied by cyclonic storm in the past two days crippled normal life in most parts of Assam, especially in the state’s main city of Guwahati with several areas submerged - the worst hit being Lachit Nagar, Rajgarh, Zoo Road, Nabin Nagar, Hengarabari, and G.S. Road areas.

Guwahati recorded 80.4 mm rainfall since Monday with forecast of more rain accompanied by thundershowers Wednesday and Thursday.

“This is the worst ever flooding in the city in recent memory with rainwater flooding the better part of our ground floor,” said Nanda Das, a college teacher.

The situation has further compounded with mud and slush blocking the city’s drainage system.

“There is no outlet for the water to go and hence the artificial flooding caused,” a municipal corporation official said.

“We were unable to send our children to school, while we are running out of essentials as there is no way we can move out of our homes,” said Bimala Hazarika, a housewife.

The rafts used by the NDRF came as a succour to the marooned people with many residents venturing out of their homes to buy medicines and food.

“With more rains likely, the situation would further worsen,” Chauhan said.