Guwahati, July 19: A massive landslide struck Kharguli in Guwahati on Sunday morning, crushing at least six scooters under mud and debris. No loss of life or injuries were reported, officials said.
The incident came after incessant rain lashed the city over the past three to four days, triggering widespread waterlogging across several parts of Guwahati. With the monsoon intensifying, landslides remain a major threat in the city’s hill areas despite repeated alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushed to the spot and launched rescue and clearance operations, removing debris and retrieving the damaged two-wheelers.
Residents, however, blamed more than just the rain. “We had alerted the landowner multiple times against carrying out construction on the hill slope during the monsoon, but our warnings were ignored,” alleged local resident Shankar Talukdar. He claimed that ongoing construction and the collapse of a retaining wall triggered the landslide and urged the district administration and disaster management authorities to immediately seal nearby buildings, warning that the hillside remains unstable.
Calling it a narrow escape, Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) official Junmoni Deka said it was fortunate that no one was caught under the debris. “Construction on vulnerable hill slopes during the monsoon should be avoided. Officials from the district administration, Disaster Management Authority and the Deputy Commissioner’s office are assessing the situation. Appropriate action will be taken after determining the cause and fixing responsibility,” she said.
Bishnu Shah, whose scooter was crushed in the landslide, sought financial assistance, alleging that adequate safety measures had not been taken despite repeated warnings over the ongoing construction.
As clearance operations continue, anxiety grips the neighbourhood. Authorities are closely monitoring the hillside amid fears that further rainfall could trigger fresh landslides.
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