Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has stated that Meghalaya should not be solely blamed for the recurring floods in Assam, emphasizing that both states share responsibility for addressing the issue. He made this assertion in response to allegations that developmental activities in Meghalaya’s hill areas contribute to flooding in Guwahati. Tynsong pointed out that there is currently no technology that can accurately predict heavy rainfall in advance or fully anticipate the challenges posed by extreme weather events.
He also noted that Meghalaya is often blamed for floods simply because of its higher elevation, while Assam lies in the plains. The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that Meghalaya alone should not be held responsible for the floods, highlighting that both neighboring states have a role to play in mitigating the problem. This comes amid frequent waterlogging in areas around Guwahati, including Jorabat, Khanapara, and the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport area, during periods of heavy rainfall.
Tynsong’s remarks follow repeated statements by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has alleged that developmental activities on Meghalaya’s hill slopes near Guwahati are a major factor contributing to flooding in the Assam capital. In response, Tynsong suggested that the state government must ensure that adequate drainage systems and culverts are incorporated into the proposed six-lane ring road project near Guwahati to prevent waterlogging and improve flood management.
