The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has undertaken a series of targeted initiatives in 2025 to address the pressing issue of urban flooding in the city. In an exclusive interview with the Chief Executive officer of GMDA, Anbamuthan M P said-
“As part of its ongoing flood mitigation strategy, GMDA has prioritized the cleaning and desilting of major channels and drains under its jurisdiction. This includes the peripheral channels of Silsako Beel, Bondajan Channel, Noonmati Channel (from Noonmati pump house to Bondajan), the NH-27 drain from Koinadhara to Basistha Chariali, and three silt traps at the Veterinary Campus in Khanapara. Additional efforts are being made to clean and desilt the Borsola Beel, Pamohi Channel, NH drain opposite ISBT, and Sarusola Beel.”
To stop storm water from the Meghalaya hills from entering and overwhelming the city's drainage system, a reinforced cement concrete (RCC) stormwater drain is currently under construction on the southern side of NH-27. This diversion channel, stretching from Balughat point (opposite the Skoda showroom) to Gurudwara point, is designed to reroute excess water towards Basistha and significantly reduce flood risk.
He said “Another key project is the construction of a stormwater drain from the Sarumotoria area to Silsako Beel, which includes pumping facilities to improve water flow and discharge capacity. Complementing these efforts is the operation of electric pumping stations located at Silsako Beel (2 pumps, each 1700 LPS capacity), Bonda (4 pumps, each 1700 LPS), and Noonmati (4 pumps, each 1700 LPS). Additionally, procurement is underway for ten more dewatering pumps—six with 350 LPS capacity and four with 150 LPS capacity—to strengthen the city's emergency flood response.”
To provide a long-term solution, GMDA is developing a GIS-based comprehensive Drainage Master Plan and Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Guwahati. The consultancy firm Royal HaskoningDHV is leading this effort. As part of this initiative, the DPR for the Bahini project, estimated at Rs.183.88 crore, has been submitted to the Asian Development Bank for funding under the Assam Urban Sector Development Project (AUSDP). Also, a suggestion seeking Rs 200 crore under the Urban Flood Risk Management Programme (UFRMP) has been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, through the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).
These combined measures reflect GMDA’s multi-pronged approach to making Guwahati tougher to extreme weather events and recurring urban flood.
A severe spell of rainfall combined with heavy runoff from the Meghalaya hills plunged Assam’s capital, Guwahati, into crisis on Friday, leading to widespread urban flooding and displacement of residents in multiple areas.
The natural calamity has once again exposed the delicate urban infrastructure and the crucial need for sustainable flood management.
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