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In a heartbreaking incident, a dead body had to be carried on a raft made of banana stems in Rukminigaon, Guwahati, on May 31. The area was so flooded that a mortuary van could not reach the house. The family had no choice but to use the raft to take their loved one for the last rites.
Journalist Afrida Hussain shared a video of the scene on X (formerly Twitter), calling it “Heartbreaking & Tragic.” She wrote, “This is not a remote village, but the heart of Guwahati’s so-called Smart City.” Her post questioned the failure of both governance and humanity.
Guwahati received heavy rainfall from May 28 to 30, causing major flooding in the city. While water has receded in many areas, places like Rukminigaon are still under water. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, around 10,000 people have been affected across several localities, including Lachit Nagar, Ulubari, Pandu, Hatigaon, Sijubari, and many others.
In another tragic incident, a landslide in Bonda area on May 30 claimed the lives of five people. Among them were a mother, Poonam Goswami, her young daughter, and another child relative. The landslide hit their home after days of heavy rain.
People are frustrated and angry. On Friday, BJP MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi visited a flood-hit area but faced angry residents. Locals shouted at her and accused her of only visiting safer, less-affected places. “Come down, madam! There is no flood here, right?” a local shouted, pointing to the dry spot where the MP stood.
Guwahati’s Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah and city Mayor Mrigen Sarania also visited many flooded parts of the city. They inspected areas like Juripar, Rukminigaon, Basistha Chariali, Kamakhya Foothills, and more.
Minister Baruah explained that many areas in Guwahati work like “basins” where rainwater from nearby hills collects. He said that two big drainage systems are being built to solve this problem. However, water from Rukminigaon can only be pumped out once other nearby areas are cleared.
While the government promises action, many residents feel this disaster shows the failure of years of planning and development. The city, they say, is drowning—not just in rainwater, but in broken promises.