Shillong, Aug 6 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday said the state government is carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the recurring flash flooding in the Jorabat area along the Assam-Meghalaya border, while working closely with the Assam government to identify both immediate and long-term solutions.
Describing the issue as a matter of serious concern, Sangma said officials are examining multiple factors responsible for the repeated inundation instead of attributing it to a single cause.
“We are studying all the aspects and looking at whatever measures we can put in. There could be different reasons behind the flooding, and we want to address the problem comprehensively,” the Chief Minister said.
He pointed to the altered topography in the area as one of the major concerns, saying infrastructure development has created a bowl-like depression beneath the main flyover, making the location vulnerable to rapid water accumulation during heavy rainfall.
“There is a concern because of the bowl-like structure created due to the road construction. The level below the main flyover is quite deep, which allows water to collect quickly, leading to flooding within a short period,” Sangma said.
The Chief Minister stressed that the issue extends beyond Meghalaya’s jurisdiction and requires coordinated action with neighbouring Assam, as Jorabat is located on the inter-state boundary and serves as a key gateway connecting Guwahati with Shillong and the rest of the Northeast.
“We are all concerned about the situation. The Deputy Commissioners of both states are coordinating closely, and we hope to find both temporary and permanent solutions. This is an important issue for us,” he added.
Jorabat, situated at the foothills of the Meghalaya Plateau, receives runoff from the surrounding hills, while also acting as a drainage convergence point for stormwater flowing from the rapidly urbanising outskirts of Guwahati. The combination of natural terrain and increasing urbanisation has made the area particularly susceptible to waterlogging during the monsoon.
The recurring floods have repeatedly disrupted traffic on the busy Guwahati-Shillong National Highway, affecting thousands of commuters, transport operators, businesses and local residents on both sides of the border.
The Meghalaya government said it is evaluating engineering, hydrological and drainage-related aspects of the problem in consultation with Assam to develop a sustainable solution that can mitigate flooding and improve resilience along the crucial transport corridor.
–IANS
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