In anticipation of heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Remal, Assam’s Kamrup Metropolitan district, which includes capital city Guwahati, has put all government response agencies on high alert until June 1. As the cyclone moves through the region, the meteorological office has predicted significant rainfall on Monday and Tuesday.
The disaster management department of Kamrup Metro has instructed the Guwahati Municipal Corporation and associated departments — health, public health engineering, public works, veterinary, and water resources — to be on standby for immediate action and to ensure essential services remain operational. This directive comes after Cyclone Remal made landfall on Sunday night along the coastal regions of Bengal and Bangladesh.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority or ASDMA issued an Orange Alert for eleven districts and a Red Alert for seven districts on Sunday, signalling the need for heightened preparedness.
Although the rainfall since Sunday night has brought relief from recent high temperatures, the warning of extremely heavy rainfall has led to precautionary measures being implemented by the governments of Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya.
In Meghalaya, the districts of Ri Bhoi and East Khasi Hills have announced the closure of all schools due to adverse weather conditions on Tuesday.
The disaster management branch in Kamrup Metro has outlined the necessity for various departments to be prepared for immediate response and to maintain the continuity of essential services.
The District Disaster Management Authority or DDMA has suspended ferry services and fishing activities in the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries for two days starting Monday. Local authorities have been advised to conduct awareness campaigns about landslide risks in vulnerable areas, as Guwahati is surrounded by 18 hills.
Revenue circle officers have been instructed to convene task force meetings immediately to ensure all departments are ready for effective response. They are also to identify and prepare relief camps for potential evacuees.
The district’s Transportation department has been directed to keep recovery vehicles, excavators, and cranes on standby, while the Forest department is readying teams to clear fallen trees. The National Disaster Response Force or NDRF and State Disaster Response Force or SDRF are also prepared for any emergencies.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assured residents on Sunday night via X that the government is fully prepared to handle the challenges posed by Cyclone Remal.
