GUWAHATI, Aug 8 � Guwahati needs a stringent legislation for rainwater harvesting to save it from rain-caused flash flood. In this respect the city should emulate the example of the Chennai city.
This observation was made by noted drainage and sanitation expert Dr Binoy Kumar Das. He was speaking to The Assam Tribune.
Dr Das, who was one of the key persons in preparing the 1971 drainage master plan of Guwahati, also called for sincere steps to implement the said legislation in letter and spirit. There should be a strong determination at the highest level of the administration, he said.
The amount of rainwater which cannot be harvested should be channelized for recharge of the groundwater table.
These steps will not only save Guwahati from flash flood but will also strengthen its groundwater table and will thus improve the drinking water availability position in the city, which is getting its groundwater table sinking at a fast rate due to reckless exploitation of groundwater.
The Tamil Nadu Government has demonstrated the political will to enact a piece of legislation for harvesting rainwater in Chennai. Moreover, within a year, it implemented this legislation thoroughly for all private and Government buildings.
Can the Assam Government demonstrate such a political will to save Guwahati from flash flood, asked Dr Das.
It needs mention here that as per the figures available with the India Meteorology Department (IMD), Guwahati (Borjhar Airport) receives a total rainfall of 11.8 mm during January, 17.2 mm of rainfall during February, 55.1 mm during March, 147 mm during April, 248.9 mm during May, 316.8 mm during June, 351.2 mm during July, 269.4 mm during August, 187 mm during September, 90.9 mm during October, 18.5 mm during November and 7.3 mm during December.
The above rainfall figures have been worked out on the basis of the city�s 1951-2000 rainfall data.
