Dergaon: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday revealed that the state government has sought the intervention of a Supreme Court-appointed committee over ongoing hill-cutting activities in Meghalaya, which he alleges are a significant contributor to Guwahati’s worsening waterlogging crisis.
Speaking at a press conference held in Dergaon, Golaghat district, Sarma warned of dire consequences if unchecked deforestation and hill cutting continued along the Assam-Meghalaya border.
“If this continues, Guwahati will eventually turn into an ocean,” he remarked.
The chief minister cited recent construction activities in Meghalaya—particularly on hills near the capital city—as a major factor behind the repeated artificial floods in Guwahati.
“Previously, it was only USTM (University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya), but now there are more structures being erected by cutting hills,” he noted.
Sarma reiterated the concerns he raised last year, when he controversially accused USTM of contributing to what he called “flood jihad”, suggesting that runoff from its hilltop campus worsens flooding in the city.
In response, the Assam government has formally approached an empowered committee of the Supreme Court, requesting an on-site inspection of the hills in question.
“We are hopeful of a favourable outcome within the next two to three months,” Sarma said, emphasising that the plea underscores the environmental and infrastructural threats posed by continued hill alteration.
The remarks come just a day after Guwahati witnessed widespread waterlogging following heavy overnight rains.
Several neighbourhoods remained submerged for over 24 hours, with visuals showing residents navigating knee- to chest-deep water across parts of the city.
The waterlogging crisis has been a persistent issue for Assam’s capital, drawing criticism from various quarters.
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Last year, the Gauhati High Court censured the state government for its “lack of seriousness” in addressing the city’s chronic drainage and flooding issues.
While Sarma acknowledged that urban expansion contributes to artificial flooding, he maintained that cross-border environmental practices are exacerbating the situation.
“Every year, more open spaces are filled in, and buildings come up. But unless hill cutting is addressed, no urban flood control effort will be enough,” he said.
