Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms Cripple Guwahati, Trigger Widespread Power Cuts & Flooding

Guwahati woke up to a chaotic Monday as heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, and dark skies lashed the city, causing severe waterlogging and extensive power outages. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the rain is likely to continue throughout the day.

The sudden change in weather brought normal life to a halt. Flash floods were reported across the city, with areas like Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, and Chandmari worst hit by the incessant downpour. Major roads were submerged and left without electricity, adding to the city’s woes.

Emergency response teams quickly deployed large water pumps to clear the flooded streets. Officials from the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) said efforts were underway to restore electricity and urged people to stay indoors and avoid contact with fallen power lines.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, the storm was caused by a typical pre-monsoon weather disturbance, intensified by a sudden shift in upper air patterns and moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal. “Such events are common in April, but the intensity this time was unusual,” a spokesperson said.

The impact of the storm wasn’t limited to Guwahati. Heavy rainfall battered several districts including Darrang, Nalbari, and Kamrup, damaging homes, uprooting trees, and flooding agricultural fields. Farmers reported significant losses as crops nearing harvest were destroyed.

Urban areas saw streets transform into rivers, paralyzing traffic and causing more power cuts due to fallen trees and electric poles. The Meteorological Centre has forecast more isolated showers in the coming days.

This fresh bout of extreme weather follows last week’s heavy rains that similarly brought Guwahati to a standstill, affecting areas like Chandmari, Beltola, Zoo Road, and Maligaon. Low-lying areas such as Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, and RG Baruah Road faced knee-deep water, severely disrupting movement.

The storm, marked by fierce winds, intense rainfall, and hailstones, struck late Sunday evening and continued through the night, leaving widespread damage in its path.