A woman died after being swept away in flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall in Guwahati, as large parts of the city remained waterlogged and authorities ordered the closure of all educational institutions on Monday.
The victim, identified as Payal Nath, accidentally fell into an uncovered manhole at Maligaon Chariali on Sunday evening when sudden flooding engulfed the area. The strong current of rainwater dragged her away before she could be rescued, highlighting the dangers posed by inadequate urban infrastructure during extreme weather events.
Rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were immediately deployed and launched a search operation in the locality. After hours of effort, her body was recovered nearly 250 metres from the spot where she had fallen. She was taken to the Pandu First Referral Unit, where doctors declared her brought dead. Nath was a resident of Dharapur locality.
Waterlogging cripples city movement
The intense downpour led to severe waterlogging across several parts of the city, bringing traffic and daily life to a near standstill. Areas such as Hatigaon, Rukminigaon, Kahilipara, Anil Nagar and Nabin Nagar were among the worst affected.
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Major arterial roads remained submerged through Sunday night into Monday morning, leaving vehicles stranded for hours and commuters struggling to navigate flooded streets. In several low-lying areas, rainwater entered residential zones, further aggravating the situation.
Residents reported long traffic snarls and delays, while emergency services faced difficulties accessing inundated localities. The incident has once again raised concerns over Guwahati’s drainage system, which has repeatedly failed to cope with heavy rainfall.
Schools shut, advisory issued
In view of the deteriorating situation, the Kamrup Metropolitan district administration announced the closure of all educational institutions on April 20 as a precautionary measure.
An official notice issued by the District Disaster Management Authority stated that both government and private schools and colleges within the Guwahati Municipal Corporation limits would remain shut for the day to ensure the safety of students.
Authorities also issued an advisory urging residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and remain cautious as water levels in several areas remained high. Officials said the situation is being closely monitored, with emergency teams kept on standby to respond to any further incidents.
The tragic death has underscored the risks posed by open drains and manholes during floods, even as the city continues to grapple with recurring urban flooding during the monsoon and pre-monsoon showers
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