Shillong, May 22: The Meghalaya government has called on Assam to strengthen its urban drainage system instead of blaming its neighbour for the recent flooding in Guwahati. Disaster Management Minister and East Jaintia Hills MLA, Kyrmen Shylla, responded firmly to accusations that deforestation and construction in Meghalaya had worsened flooding in Assam’s capital.
“They have to find a solution, build proper drainage to avoid further flooding. Until and unless that is done, there’s no point blaming Meghalaya,” said Shylla. He stressed that flooding in Guwahati is a long-standing urban issue that needs to be addressed through better planning and infrastructure within Assam itself.
Shylla also clarified that Meghalaya has not received any official communication from Assam regarding the matter. “Till date, we have not received any correspondence from the Assam counterpart stating that Meghalaya is responsible for flooding in Guwahati,” he said.
He urged Assam to conduct proper surveys before making any allegations. “Before blaming, do a proper survey. And even if water flows from here, it’s a natural phenomenon. Meghalaya receives the highest amount of rainfall,” he explained.
Shylla said Meghalaya is open to discussions and willing to take corrective measures if evidence proves its role in the flooding. “It’s easy to blame, but such claims must be backed by proof. If surveys show that we’ve contributed, we’re open to talks and corrective steps. But nature must also be understood—when you’re at a higher elevation, water will naturally flow down.”
He drew a comparison to road safety, stating, “If you meet with an accident due to high speed, you can’t blame the road. You have to drive carefully and take responsibility.”
The Meghalaya government has reiterated its commitment to cooperation but insists that any dialogue on this issue must be based on facts and evidence, not public accusations.
