Meghalaya Deputy CM says flood blame cannot rest on Meghalaya alone
Prestone Tynsong said recurring Assam floods involve shared responsibility between Meghalaya and Assam and called for better drainage planning, including for a
Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said Meghalaya should not be blamed alone for recurring floods in Assam. He argued that the issue is linked to conditions across the two neighbouring states, not only to activities in Meghalaya’s hill areas.
Responding to allegations that development in Meghalaya’s hills contributes to flooding in Guwahati, Tynsong said elevation is not a reason to fix responsibility on Meghalaya. He said both states have to work together to address the problem, and that Meghalaya “is time and again blamed for floods” simply because it is located at higher ground.
Flood challenge tied to rainfall and shared planning
Tynsong also pointed to limits in advance planning for extreme weather. He said there is no existing technology that can accurately predict heavy rainfall far ahead. He added that the situation created by extreme weather events needs responses from both Meghalaya and Assam.
The remarks came after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma repeatedly alleged that activities on Meghalaya’s hill slopes near Guwahati are a key factor behind flooding in the Assam capital. Tynsong rejected the idea of single-state blame and said the focus should shift to how both sides can improve flood management.
Ring road project and drainage should be built in
Tynsong referred to Assam’s proposed six-lane ring road near Guwahati. He said the state government should ensure adequate drainage systems and culverts are included as part of the project. He argued that better drainage can help reduce waterlogging and support overall flood management in the city.
He also highlighted that waterlogging is a repeated problem during heavy rainfall in and around Guwahati, including areas such as Jorabat, Khanapara, and the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport area. Tynsong’s comments focus on the need for practical infrastructure measures, alongside cooperation between the neighbouring states.
