The annual monsoon floods in Assam, particularly in Guwahati, have long been a cause of concern, with this year proving to be especially devastating. While heavy rainfall, deforestation, and poor urban planning have traditionally been blamed, a new and controversial factor has entered the discussion: the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM). Assam Chief Minister HimantaBiswaSarma has pointed fingers at the private university, located in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district, for exacerbating the flood situation in Guwahati, leading to a heated debate.

The Allegations Against USTM

On August 13, 2024, during a visit to flood-hit areas, CM HimantaBiswaSarma publicly blamed USTM for the severe waterlogging and flooding witnessed in parts of Guwahati, particularly in areas like Jorabat, which serves as the city’s eastern gateway. Sarma accused the university of contributing to the flooding through its construction activities, particularly the cutting of hills and deforestation around its 100-acre campus.

In a series of statements, Sarma claimed that the construction at USTM was directly responsible for altering the natural water flow, leading to the accumulation of water in Guwahati. He went further, describing the university’s main gate—adorned with three domes that he likened to "Mecca-like" structures—as symbolic of a larger issue. Sarma controversially linked this to what he termed "flood jihad," a term he has used to suggest a deliberate attempt to harm Assam through environmental destruction.

Sarma's comments also extended to the design of USTM’s gate, suggesting that the university’s architectural choices were part of a broader cultural and religious encroachment. He suggested that the presence of a traditional Assamese place of worship (namghar) or a church should accompany the domes to reflect a more inclusive environment.

USTM’s Response

In response to the accusations, USTM has issued a statement defending its actions and clarifying its position. The university emphasized that all construction activities have been conducted with the necessary permissions from the Meghalaya government and that the campus is recognized as a "Green Campus" by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), a body under the Ministry of Education.

USTM highlighted that its campus includes five large natural reservoirs designed to manage water flow, and it has undertaken afforestation efforts to increase green cover in the area. The university argued that its contribution to the overall water flow that reaches Guwahati is minimal and should not be singled out as the primary cause of the city's flooding.

The university’s statement also addressed the cultural implications of the Chief Minister's comments, asserting that the design of its gates should not be misinterpreted or politicized.

Issue cannot be side-lined
Assam government's attempt to sideline long-standing issues and place blame on a new entity, such as the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), is a shortsighted approach that fails to address the deeper, systemic problems that have plagued areas like Guwahati for years.

The persistent problem of waterlogging and flash floods in areas like Nabin Nagar and Rajgarh in Guwahati has been a recurring issue for decades, despite multiple governments coming into power with promises of finding solutions. This ongoing crisis raises important questions about urban planning, governance, and the long-term sustainability of the city.

For decades, residents of Nabin Nagar, Rajgarh, and other parts of Guwahati have struggled with severe waterlogging and flash floods during the monsoon season. The situation has become an unfortunate annual ritual, with the city's infrastructure seemingly unable to cope with the volume of water brought by heavy rains. While the issue is exacerbated during the monsoon, the root causes are far deeper, involving decades of neglect, mismanagement, and short-sighted urban planning.

Shifting Blame: A Distraction from Real Issues

Blaming USTM for the recent flooding in Guwahati diverts attention from the chronic issues that have existed for decades. The challenges of waterlogging and flash floods in areas like Nabin Nagar, Rajgarh, Hatigaonand other parts of the city are not new. They are the result of years of neglect, inadequate urban planning, poor infrastructure, and environmental degradation.

A Politicized Narrative?

The allegations against USTM have sparked a broader debate about the politicization of environmental issues in Assam. Chief Minister Sarma's references to "flood jihad" and his focus on the university's architectural design have raised concerns about the intersection of religion, culture, and environmental policy in the state.

Critics argue that by framing the issue in terms of religious or cultural conflict, the underlying environmental and infrastructural challenges are being overshadowed. The use of terms like "flood jihad" has also been criticized for potentially inflaming communal tensions in a region already sensitive to such issues.

The Broader Context: Guwahati’s Flooding Issues

While the controversy surrounding USTM has captured headlines, the reality of Guwahati's flooding issues is far more complex. Guwahati, like many cities in Assam, faces annual monsoon floods that are driven by a combination of factors:

1.      Inadequate Urban Planning: Guwahati's rapid urbanization has outpaced the development of essential infrastructure. As the city expanded, wetlands and natural drainage channels were encroached upon, leading to a significant reduction in the area's capacity to manage rainwater. The lack of proper zoning laws and unregulated construction has only worsened the problem.

2.      Poor Drainage System: Guwahati's drainage system is often cited as one of the primary reasons for the city's flooding woes. Many of the city's drains are either too narrow, poorly maintained, or clogged with debris. Even when new drainage projects are initiated, they often fail to integrate with the existing infrastructure, leading to piecemeal solutions that do little to address the problem holistically.

3.      Environmental Degradation: The destruction of green cover and deforestation in surrounding areas has disrupted natural water flow, leading to increased runoff during rains. Hill-cutting and deforestation have also contributed to soil erosion, further aggravating the flooding situation in the city.

4.      Political Apathy and Corruption: Over the years, there have been allegations of corruption and mismanagement in urban development projects. Short-term political gains often take precedence over long-term planning, resulting in inadequate or poorly executed infrastructure projects. Additionally, the lack of continuity in policy and governance, with new governments often discarding or altering previous plans, has led to a disjointed approach to solving the problem.

5.      Climate Change: The impact of climate change cannot be ignored. Increased rainfall intensity and unpredictability, driven by global climate shifts, have made the city's existing infrastructure even more inadequate. However, climate change is often used as a convenient excuse, rather than a catalyst for urgent and comprehensive action.

The Brahmaputra River, which flows through Assam, also plays a significant role in the region's flood dynamics. Fed by numerous tributaries, the river's unpredictable nature makes Assam particularly vulnerable to flooding.

Finding a Path Forward

As the debate continues, it is essential to keep the focus on the environmental and infrastructural issues at hand, rather than allowing the discussion to be sidetracked by politicized narratives. Only through a collective and informed effort can the annual flooding woes of Guwahati be effectively mitigated.