Guwahati woke up to a chaotic Monday morning as heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, strong winds, and overcast skies, swept through the city, leading to widespread power outages and severe waterlogging. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the downpour is expected to persist throughout the day.
The abrupt change in weather disrupted daily life, with several areas reporting flash floods and traffic gridlocks. Localities such as Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, and Chandmari were among the worst affected, submerged under persistent rainfall. Major roads across the city were also left without electricity, compounding the challenges faced by residents.
Authorities swiftly deployed large pumps to drain the accumulated water from inundated areas. Officials from the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) confirmed that teams had been dispatched to restore electricity and urged citizens to remain indoors and avoid contact with fallen wires.
The Regional Meteorological Centre attributed the sudden storm to a local weather disturbance typical of Assam’s pre-monsoon period. Meteorologists explained that the hailstorm was triggered by a sudden shift in upper air circulation combined with moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal. “Such events are not uncommon in April, but the intensity this time was unusual,” said a spokesperson from the Centre.
The impact of the storm extended beyond Guwahati. Heavy showers lashed several districts across Assam, marking the beginning of the pre-monsoon season. Villages in Darrang, Nalbari, and Kamrup districts reported extensive damage, with tin roofs torn apart, trees uprooted, and fields submerged under water. Farmers reported heavy losses to paddy crops and vegetables that were nearing harvest.
Urban areas saw streets turning into streams, paralyzing traffic and causing widespread power outages due to uprooted electric poles and fallen trees. The Regional Meteorological Centre has warned of more isolated showers over the next few days.
This latest spell of extreme weather follows last week’s rain that similarly brought Guwahati to a standstill. Localities including Chandmari, Beltola, Zoo Road, and Maligaon experienced power cuts, while low-lying areas such as Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, and RG Baruah Road reported knee-deep water, severely affecting vehicular and pedestrian movement.
The storm, characterized by high-velocity winds, torrential rain, and hailstones, struck late in the evening and continued through the night, leaving a trail of disruption in its wake.
