You could say this is a test of how well-prepared the state is. The IMD has put out a warning for Guwahati and every district: expect some thunder, lightning and wind in the coming 2-3 days. What you can count on is waterlogging, traffic hold-ups and a greater likelihood of landslides in the right spot.
They have been proactive about it. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority has made its position known: take your precautions, stay sharp and time your movements to avoid the heaviest of the rain.
Immediate risks for Guwahati and districts
Isolated spots in the state, Guwahati included, are in for some rough weather, the IMD says. By all accounts, Western Assam is the most at risk right now.
When you have conditions like this, drains clog up and you can’t get a car to move. Slopes become less stable. If you are in a low-lying part of town or up on a hillside, you are being asked to keep an eye out for any tell-tale signs of a flood or slide.
What the IMD has forecast
The outlook that came out on Saturday is no surprise: we’re looking at thunder and lightning with the rain and wind. It’s very much in the cards for some parts of the city and the rest of the districts.
And it won’t let up for 2-3 days. There will be some hard-hitting rain in the mix, which could have an effect in pockets, particularly in the west.
Response and official monitoring
ASDMA and the district officials are on top of it, with response teams on standby. They have made it clear that if you want to be safe, you have to listen to what they are saying.
For those who want to know what’s going on, ASDMA will be putting up information on its site and on social media. That’s where you should be looking, along with any word from local authorities.
Travel and daily routines
If you are a commuter or making a long trip, the message is plain: plan for it. When the rain is at its worst and you can’t see well, don’t go out. You will be in for slower going and longer trips as the drainage has to cope with it all.
It would be wise for businesses and families to put some buffer in their day. A road with standing water or a bit of weather trouble can set you back in a hurry.
What residents should watch for
Those with a slope or a stream nearby need to be careful. See some seepage, a crack, or hear something you shouldn’t? That’s a sign. In the lower areas, if the water is rising or a drain is blocked, you want to be far away from it.
ASDMA has been specific: be vigilant and do as you are told until it all passes.
How to act on the advisory
To make sense of this, here are some down-to-earth steps from the officials to see you through:
– Only travel if you have to
– Don’t be out when the rain is lashing down
– Be on the lookout in hilly or low-lying ground
– Keep an eye on ASDMA’s website and feeds
– Act on what the local authorities put out
Why this alert matters now
A normal drive can be put in jeopardy in a matter of minutes when a storm rolls in. The kind of localised burst the IMD is talking about can swamp one area while the one next to it is fine, which is misleading.
That makes it important to make the right call. If you pay attention to the updates and change your plans, you can steer clear of the trouble spots.
What comes next
We are in for another 2-3 days of this, so expect more from the authorities. Best to check with them directly and not put stock in unconfirmed reports.
In the end, it’s simple: limit your exposure, go only when you must, and be ready for whatever the thunder and lightning bring to Assam.
