GUWAHATI, July 15 � Less than a month after the catastrophic deluge left the city inundated and over ten persons dead, another round of showers this morning exposed the government�s tall claims about having initiated actions to prevent a repeat of such incidents as many places in Guwahati once more witnessed massive artificial flooding.
Many localities like Nabin Nagar, Anil Nagar, Tarun Nagar, Bhangagarh, Chandmari and Guwahati Club were inundated by flood water after rains lashed the city for a few hours this morning.
Residents of Anil Nagar and Nabin Nagar, who had suffered massively during last month�s deluge, were left stranded inside their residences after most of the lanes and bylanes in those localities were flooded.
Locals complained that while the district administration has been touting about its anti-encroachment drive of last fortnight, nothing much has been done to ensure smooth passage of rain-water out of these areas.
They said that while the intensity of rainfall was much less today as compared to last month�s deluge, water from other localities has made its way to these places, worsening the situation and plight of locals.
Rickshaw pullers and others made brisk business charging locals many times the usual rate to ply them from one place to another.
Senior district administration officials conceded that the local people�s ire was justified but added that pumps were put into use immediately and it has managed to clear out the flood-water from most places by afternoon.
Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister MGVK Bhanu, Kamrup Metro Deputy Commissioner (in-charge) Dr M Angamuthu and Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) Commissioner S Viswanathan visited the affected areas at Anil Nagar this morning and met the local people.
They assured the locals that steps would be taken immediately to ensure that flood-water from their locality is flushed out.
Meanwhile, the ongoing eviction drive entered the 16th day today with the district administration undertaking action at many places along the National Highway 37. Over ten shops and other illegal structures were demolished there.
At Maidam Gaon, along the Bahini River, seven pucca houses, two kuccha houses and nine boundary walls were demolished and three bighas of land cleared.
Besides, drive was also carried out from NH 37 to Rukminigaon point.
A meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority was held here today under the chairmanship of Dr Angamuthu where issues related to spreading awareness among people in the 366 landslide prone areas in 19 hillocks across the city were discussed.
Ten NGOs had been tasked to raise awareness among the locals and Angamuthu urged them to fast-track their work.
