Amid relentless rains and escalating artificial flooding in Silchar, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued a 75-year-old ailing woman trapped inside her submerged home in the city’s Tarapur locality. Moreover, the incident occurred on Sunday as floodwaters, caused by severe waterlogging. And poor drainage infrastructure, engulfed nearly 60 per cent of Silchar’s urban sprawl.
The woman, identified as Shobha Devi, had been confined to her bed for several months. With the Barak River breaching the danger mark and municipal stormwater drains overflowing. Also, her home was inundated within hours. Her family’s frantic appeals for help were answered when NDRF personnel arrived in a rescue boat. And safely evacuated her to a higher relief centre.
Artificial Flooding in Silchar Sparks Outrage
What residents are calling artificial flooding has become an increasingly frequent phenomenon in Silchar. Experts and activists blame outdated drainage systems, unchecked construction, and poor urban planning for the crisis.
“Natural rainfall is not the only cause. We are victims of gross municipal mismanagement,” said environmental activist Rishi Deb. “Silchar faces this almost every year, yet no long-term drainage reforms are implemented.”
The term artificial flooding in Silchar has since dominated headlines and social media, reflecting widespread public frustration. A similar scenario was witnessed last year, and authorities had promised permanent solutions — promises that remain unfulfilled.
Barak River Breaches Danger Mark
The Barak River, which runs through Silchar, rose above the danger level on Saturday night following three days of intense rainfall across Assam and parts of Meghalaya. This triggered widespread flooding in low-lying areas such as Malugram, Fatak Bazaar, Ambicapatty, and Sonai Road.
Local shops, schools, and health centres remained shut, while thousands of residents were stranded in their homes without access to clean water or electricity. Emergency health teams from the state’s Health Department have been deployed to flood-hit colonies to prevent waterborne diseases.
Government and Relief Operations Underway
Cachar Deputy Commissioner Rohan Jha confirmed that multiple NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed across the worst-hit zones. “Our first priority is rescue and relief. We have activated all shelters, and medical camps are operational in four relief centres,” he said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has instructed the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to provide 24-hour helpline services and ensure delivery of food and medicine to stranded families. The Chief Minister also stated that a special audit of Silchar’s drainage planning will be conducted after the situation normalises.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) website is providing regular updates on flood-affected areas and emergency contacts.
Call for Long-Term Infrastructure Reform
The ongoing artificial flooding in Silchar has sparked fresh debates about urban climate resilience in Assam. The National Institute of Urban Affairs has previously recommended comprehensive urban drainage reform for flood-prone towns in Northeast India, including Silchar and Dibrugarh.
Civil society organisations have urged the government to declare Silchar’s drainage crisis a “chronic urban emergency” and to involve town planning experts in drafting a long-term solution.
“We need sustainable flood-mitigation systems, not band-aid solutions every monsoon,” said Swagata Nath, a member of the Kalpajyoti Foundation, which is currently aiding flood victims in Dhubri as well.
A Community Holding On
For now, Silchar’s residents are doing what they can to stay afloat — literally and emotionally. Neighbours are sharing food, sheltering each other, and raising SOS calls on social media. Rescue workers continue to evacuate vulnerable people, with more rain forecast in the coming days.
As the city battles yet another round of artificial flooding, the urgency for sustainable urban infrastructure reform has never been clearer. Further, the people of Silchar are demanding answers — and action.