Guwahati, the busy urban center of Assam, has often been acclaimed as a pillar of development and progress in the Northeastern part of India. Promises of transforming into a 'Smart City' have been made, but recent events bring out a grim reality that cannot be ignored: the city's recurrent devastating flash floods.
The most recent incident, where an 8-year-old child tragically went missing after falling into an open drain during heavy rains, serves as a systemic failure where the welfare of citizens takes a back seat to political ambitions. Monsoonal rainfall routinely submerges the streets, homes, and public spaces, disrupting daily life and causing widespread havoc.
Such events not only highlight infrastructural deficiencies but also raise questions about the efficacy of urban planning and disaster preparedness measures.
The disappearance of the 8-year-old child, who fell into an uncovered drain, has sparked outrage and grief across the city. The incident, occurring amid heavy rainfall, illustrates the stark reality that essential public infrastructure remains inadequate and unsafe. It lays bare consequences of insufficient investment in basic safety measures.
The recurring flash floods in Guwahati and the heartbreaking incident involving the missing child serve as poignant reminders of the urgent need for responsible governance and meaningful urban development. The time for real change is now, where governmental actions must reflect a genuine commitment to the well-being of all citizens, ensuring that no more lives are lost in any condition.
(The author is a student of mass communication and journalism of Tezpur University. All thoughts and views expressed are the author’s own.)
