Tue May 20 07:53:22 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article based on it:
**Summary:**
Guwahati, Assam experienced severe flooding on May 20, 2025, due to heavy overnight rainfall. Many areas were inundated, disrupting transportation and daily life. Schools closed, vehicles were stranded, and homes experienced water damage and power outages. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts continued heavy rainfall in the coming days, potentially exacerbating the situation. The government is monitoring the situation and advising residents to take precautions. Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah acknowledged the problems and attributed some of the flooding to rainwater runoff from Meghalaya, echoing the Chief Minister’s claim of “flood jihad” by the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM). The Gauhati High Court has previously criticized the government’s lack of action in addressing the city’s perennial waterlogging issues.
**News Article:**
**Guwahati Crippled by Floods as Heavy Rain Lashes Assam**
**Guwahati, May 20, 2025** – A night of relentless rainfall has brought Guwahati to a standstill, inundating roads and residential areas and disrupting daily life for thousands of residents. Knee-deep, and in some areas chest-deep, water submerged major thoroughfares like Zoo Road, Hatigaon, and GS Road, causing widespread traffic jams and leaving vehicles stranded.
Many schools were forced to close early amid flooded campuses and impassable roads. Power outages were reported in multiple areas, and homes across the city are suffering from water damage.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for continued inclement weather over the next few days, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall across Assam, with the possibility of up to 200 mm in isolated locations. This raises concerns that the flooding situation could worsen.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and emergency response systems are on alert. Residents are advised to take precautions and stay tuned to official weather updates.
The flooding has reignited debate about the city’s infrastructure and the government’s response to recurring waterlogging problems. Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah acknowledged the challenges and pointed to the influx of rainwater from Meghalaya as a contributing factor. He echoed a previous claim made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) of engaging in “flood jihad” by allegedly altering the landscape and exacerbating runoff into Guwahati.
This accusation comes amid ongoing criticism from the Gauhati High Court, which has previously reprimanded the Assam government for its lack of action in addressing the city’s persistent flooding issues. The Court has even fined multiple departments for failing to respond to its inquiries.
As Guwahati braces for more rain, the focus remains on providing relief to those affected by the floods and addressing the underlying infrastructure issues that contribute to the city’s vulnerability.
First Piper 