APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 19/09/2025

Model answer

Introduction

Urban floods are no longer rare in Indian cities, but Guwahati’s case is particularly alarming. Surrounded by fragile hills and wetlands, the city faces recurrent landslides and waterlogging even after moderate rainfall. This is largely due to illegal encroachment on hills, drainage obstruction, and loss of wetlands, making floods in Guwahati a human-induced ecological disaster.

Causes of Urban Floods in Guwahati

1. Hill Encroachment & Cutting – Destabilises slopes, increases silt run-off, causing both floods and landslides.
2. Drainage Blockage – Encroachment of nallas and Bharalu–Bahini river system by settlements and waste dumping.
3. Wetland Shrinkage – Deepor Beel, Silsako Beel, and other wetlands filled up for real estate.
4. Unplanned Urbanisation – Master Plan outdated; haphazard housing, slums on fragile slopes.
5. Climate Change – Intense, short-duration rainfall events intensifying floods.
6. Governance Gaps – Weak enforcement of GMDA regulations and politically-backed encroachments.

Impacts

• Human Costs – Annual loss of lives in landslides (e.g., Kahilipara, Anil Nagar).
• Economic Loss – Damage to property, transport disruptions, increased healthcare costs.
• Public Health – Waterlogging fosters vector-borne diseases like dengue and Japanese Encephalitis.
• Ecological Damage – Wetland ecosystems, migratory bird habitats like Deepor Beel under threat.
• Urban Inequality – Poor and slum dwellers most vulnerable to evictions and disasters.

Government & Judicial Efforts

• Eviction Drives – Periodic removal of illegal settlements on hills/wetlands.
• Smart City Mission – Stormwater drainage upgrades in selected localities.
• Deepor Beel Protection Plan – Attempts to revive the Ramsar site.
• Disaster Management Plans – ASDMA’s community awareness & flood drills.
• Judicial Oversight – Gauhati High Court ordered stricter action against hill cutting.

Way Forward

1. Strict Land Use Enforcement – Ban on hill cutting & wetland encroachment with political accountability.
2. Drainage Revival – Reopen natural nallas and unclog Bharalu–Bahini river channels.
3. Afforestation & Bio-engineering – Reforest hills; use geotextiles and retaining walls for slope stability.
4. Urban Planning Reform – Update Guwahati Master Plan (2035) with climate resilience integrated.
5. Inclusive Housing Policy – Provide affordable housing to slum dwellers to reduce pressure on fragile areas.
6. Citizen Engagement – Awareness campaigns for waste disposal, flood preparedness.
7. Technology Integration – Use GIS mapping, drones to track encroachment and rainfall-runoff models for early warning.

Conclusion

The floods and landslides of Guwahati are not natural inevitabilities but outcomes of neglect, weak governance, and ecological shortsightedness. A shift towards sustainable urban planning, strict enforcement, and participatory governance can turn Guwahati into a climate-resilient city, safeguarding both its people and its fragile hill-wetland ecosystem. a flagship model for Northeast India’s urban transformation and India–Japan partnership.