Reported by Avik Chakraborty
Dibrugarh: A brief spell of rain on Sunday once again exposed Dibrugarh’s recurring urban flooding problem, with several low-lying parts of the town submerged under artificial floodwaters.
Among the worst-affected areas were the premises surrounding Doordarshan Kendra and the roadside Sunday market along Mancotta Road, where rainwater accumulated rapidly, disrupting traffic and normal public movement.
The sudden waterlogging caused major inconvenience to commuters, residents and local vendors, with several stretches becoming nearly impassable. Shopkeepers and hawkers at the weekly market struggled to continue business as muddy water entered roadside stalls and pedestrian areas.
Vehicles were seen moving slowly through inundated roads, resulting in traffic congestion in parts of the locality.
Residents blamed the recurring flooding on inadequate drainage infrastructure and poor maintenance of existing drains. Locals alleged that clogged drainage channels and unplanned urban expansion have worsened the waterlogging situation over the years.
They also expressed frustration over the lack of a permanent solution despite repeated complaints and assurances from the authorities.
Many residents voiced concern ahead of the peak monsoon season, warning that if a short spell of rainfall could trigger severe waterlogging now, the situation may become more alarming during prolonged monsoon showers.
Citizens have urged the district administration and municipal authorities to undertake immediate desiltation of drains, improve urban drainage systems and implement long-term flood mitigation measures to prevent repeated artificial flooding in the town.