See

discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283582359

AICTE-NEQIP sponsored two days

International seminar at Guwahaty on
Diaster Management issues and challenges
GUWAHATY CITY WATERLOGGING DISASTER OR PROBLEM?
CONFERENCE PAPER NOVEMBER 2015

READS

1 AUTHOR:
Prashanta Bordoloi
Kaziranga University
12 PUBLICATIONS 1 CITATION
SEE PROFILE

Available from: Prashanta Bordoloi

Retrieved on: 06 February 2016

AICTE-NEQIP sponsored two days International seminar at Guwahaty on Diaster Management issues and
challenges

GUWAHATY CITY WATERLOGGING - DISASTER OR

PROBLEM?
by
Prashanta Kumar Bordoloi,
Professor, Civil Engineering department,
Assam Kaziranga University, NH37, Karaikhowa, Jorhat, Assam, India 785006,
prashanta@kazirangauniversity.in
Abstract
Waterlogging in Guwahaty city is a common sight after a heavy shower in the summer
monsoon season of south west monsoon, apparently with no solution at sight. Multiple
government departments are involved in mitigating this disaster, with varying degree of
success, yet Guwahatian life coming to a standstill because of this flooding, and it is a recurring
phenomenon. Augmentation of the pumping capacity at Bharalumukh, provides some relief,
but is not enough. It is largely believe to be a natural calamity, and has to be absorbed by the
society. Disaster cannot be done away with; only loss can be minimized through preparedness.
This paper attempts to ponder, Guwahaty waterlogging is not a disaster in entirity; it is a
problem and thus has solution. The approach should be multi-disciplinary, including
participation of civil society; not multi-departmental, engaged in de-silting and partial stream
rejuvenating centric solution practice. In the absence of requisite information required for
conducting this study, the problem was studied with high resolution Digital Globe synoptic
recent data on a GIS platform collating with limited pertinent data available in public domain.
Key Words
Community participation, multidisciplinary approach, soil and Water Conservation,
watershed delineation and development
Dimension of Waterlogging in Guwahati City
Introduction : Inundation owing to water-logging is has been a major catastrophe
faced in several wards of Guwahati Municipal Corporation Area during the rainy
season after every medium or heavy downpour. The public and the authority are
equally concerned as it brings life to standstill and there has been several initiatives to
solve the vexed issue, involving multi-departmental participation with tall claims and
the situation remain grim which lead to even loss of human lives. The author was
helping a French researcher in introducing the situation and used GIS tools
supplemented with reconnaissance study, limited field data available in public domain
to study the inherent limitations leading to deterioration of storm water evacuating
congestion and spatial pattern of the inundation in the GMC area. Layers of thematic
information was integrated on a GIS, involving drainage, slope (limited data), and
landuse pattern to use as a tool for the decision makers to address the issue. The
study was based on primary data gathered from public opinion voiced in print and
electronic media, and secondary data was collected from various government
agencies made available in public domain , research centres and concerned
individuals. All data were finally integrated in GIS environment using ERDAS
IMAGINE for generation of hazard map. Rapid urbanization with increased housing
and construction activities in the city has lead to more rooftops, driveways, streets and
other impervious or hard surfaces (CDP, 2006). This rapid development of the
watershed areas decreases infiltration capacity of the land giving rise in runoff losses,
which manifested in flash flood situation and indiscriminate unplanned urbanisation
leading to expansion of the city limit adds dimension to the calamity. Storm water

drainage system had been the yardstick to appreciate the level of civilization of old
cities like Mahenjodaro and Harappa , by that token with nature gifted three storm
water disposal and balancing system Bharalu, Bonda jan and Deepor Beel, and its
deteriorating environment does not speak the civility of the dwellers in the GMC area,
and blame game is widely displayed as public and authority are equally responsible.
Guwahati waterlogging, as we found, is no disaster but is a problem hence there are
solutions, if approached in a systematic way, not whimsically as is practised now.
1. Guwahaty Municipal Area and its environ
1.1 As the legend goes : Brief History of the Town
The city that radiated the light of knowledge since the dawn of civilization is the
hodonomy Guwahati city referred as the legendary Pragjyotishpur (Dr Bhupen
Hazrika in the song Mor Lakhya sthan hol Tezpur). Dighali Pukhuri the grand tank
was widely believed to be excavated on the occasion of a swayambara leading to
Duryyodhana marrying Bhagadattas daughter in Mahabharata day, the city enjoys a
rich history and finds frequent mention in medieval historical sources, and also in
the epics Mahabharata, Ramayana and Raghuvansham of Kalidasa. In 640 AD, the
legendary Chinese pilgrim Yuen Chawan graced the city in Kumar Bhaskar
Barmans reign. The emergence of modern Guwahati started around 1826, after the
pact at Yandabu, and in 1890 the city was connected to the rest of India via a
railway line. Guwahati experienced phenomenal growth after independence of the
country following the establishment of major institutions of higher education like
Guwahati University, Engineering College, and Medical College. The Guwahati Oil
Refinery was established in 1961. In 1972, after the reorganization of the State of
Assam, the capitol was virtually shifted overnight from Shillong to Dispur (Guwahati),
whereby the city gained enough political importance. Since then, the city has grown
enormously in terms of population and development of commercial activities. Flood
gate for settlers in Guwahati was thus opened.
1.2

Geography

Situated by the banks of Brahmaputra with its cardinal points being 26110N and
91440E. Guwahati is located towards the south-eastern side of Kamrup district,
which is surrounded by the Nalbari district in the North, the Darrang and Marigaon
districts in the East, the Meghalaya State in the south, and the Goalpara and Barpeta
districts in the West. The GMC area is sandwiched between the mighty Brahmaputra
on the north and the Meghalaya hills on the south, dotted with small hills and hillocks
separated by flat velleys. Interestingly, the northern limit is separated from the
Brahmaputra, the ultimate city storm discharge system, by the hills of KharghuliNabgraha, Kamakhya, with separation from Uzan Bazar to Bhralumukh, and at
Bonda through which escapes the two brooks Bharalu and Bondajan snaking
through the intervening flat terrain. Runoff from Basistha, Khanapara, Koinadhara,
Panjabari, Nrengi, Birkusi, Bonda, Nunmati, Chunsali, Jyotinagar, Kharghuli,
Neelachal (kamakhya), Jhalukbari, Fatasheel, Sonaighuli, Kahilipara, Japorighog,
Henegerabari, Geetanagar, Garbhanga Narkasaur, Nabagraha, Saraniya, covering
3455 ha thus traverse through the flat valley of the city 49 to 56 m above Mean Sea
Level (MSL) and Danger level of the Brahmaputra at Pandu at 49.66m add to
drainage congestion owing to low relief. In this year, difference of Bharalu and the
Brahmaputra water level was barely 23cm lasting for few hours speak of the gravity
of the situation, which warrants forced evacuation.

Figure 1.1, 1.2 shows the physical environment, morphology of the city and Zonal
Map of Guwahati. Zone 1 with Bharalu. the lone storm water disposal channel
1.3.

Topography

The stretch of Bharalu and Bahini which traverses through the densest areas of
Guwahati is approximately 16 km long (Table 1-2) with a catchment area that
is almost equally divided between the hilly regions and the plains. Specifically, the
hilly upstream section of the Bharalu has a catchment area of 60 km2 (where it is
known as Bahini), and a catchment area of 40 km2 in its d ownstream stretch
passing through Guwahati (Figure 1-4).

Table 1-1: Description of the Course and Length of Bharalu, Bahini, Basistha,
Morabharalu and Pamohi
River

Description of the Course of River

Split from Bahini at the Indian Oil Refinery drain to
Bharalumukh where it drains into Brahmaputra River

Bharalu

Split from Basishta to its downstream point at the Indian Oil

Refinery drain where it is known as Bharalu

Bahini

Basistha

Dead Bharalu
(Morabharalu)
Pamohi

From its origin in Meghalaya Hills to confluence point with

Dead Bharalu or Morabharalu
After the confluence point with the Dead Bharalu or
Morabharalu up to Deepor Beel

Length

Total
Length

7
16
9
19
27
8

Between Bharalu and Basishta

13

Between Deepor Beel and Brahmaputra River

Covering an estimated area of 11 km2 in the heart of Guwahati, the catchment area
has seen rapid urbanization from economic and demographic developments. From
Basistha Chariali, the Bharalu River runs for about 17 km till Bharalumukh with an
average channel width of 5 to 9 m. The average water depth in the channel is 3 m,
although it varies considerably as a result of different flow volumes and everincreasing piles of garbage. Based on earlier estimates, the velocity of flow is 0.76
m/sec for the stretch between Basistha and R.G. Barua Road, and on average 1.2
m/sec for the rest of the course. The Brahmaputra has a water depth of
approximately 47 m in the Guwahati area. The Bharalu is the main
drainage
channel of the Guwahati Municipality area. It discharges into the Brahmaputra at
Bharalumukh. After flowing a few kilometres, the original channel bifurcates into two
rivulets. One rivulet is known as the Basistha River, which courses towards Deepor
Beel. The other rivulet (initially called Bahini and later Bharalu) passes though the
city draining the areas of Basistha cantonment, Beltola, Rukrninigaon, Mathura
Nagar, Dispur, Hengrabari, and Ganeshguri, and then passes along the R.G.
Baruah Road resembling a manmade drain. This rivulet known as the Bharalu
meets a major drain (carrying storm water and waste water run-off from the public
sector Guwahati Refinery, of Indian Oil Corporation Limited; and domestic waste
water from large areas in the eastern part of the city) near the Assam State Zoo and
thereafter the combined flow turns to the western direction, crossing the R.G. Barua
Road and flows through a densely populated residential neighbourhood of Nabin
Nagar and Anil Nagar which hit the media during monsoon season for worst of the
waterlogging, then along Rajgarh Road. It then crosses the G.S. Road at
Bhangagarh and flows towards Ulubari, Fatasil and Kumarpara prior to joining the
Brahmaputra at Bharalumukh. The southern and eastern sides of the city are
surrounded by hillocks. Apart from the hilly tracts, swamps, marshes, water bodies
such as Deepor Beel, Silpukhuri, Dighali Pukhuri, Borsola Beel and Silsakoo Beel
are also within the city most of which pays the role of balancing reservoir.
The GMC falls within the climatic Zone 1 which comprises northern and northeastern India as well as adjoining parts of Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and North
Myanmar. In this zone, rainfall generally occurs in the monsoon months from June
to September while the months from November to February are generally dry with
occasional winter rains. In this basin, four meteorological conditions are mainly
responsible for heavy rainfall and subsequent floods:
1. Movement of a monsoon trough to the northeast from the Bay of Bengal to
the sub-basin
2. Shifts of the monsoon trough to the north from its normal position.

3. Formation and movement of lowlands or land depressions over North-East

India.
4. Circulation of cyclonic upper air over North-East India.

Figure 1-3: The Bharalu River System

1.4

Climate

Figure 1-4: Elevations of the Bharalu River Catchment Area (in metres above MSL)
The annual rainfall in Guwahati was on average 1,681 mm and 147 rainy days from
2008 to 2012 (Table 1-2). Of this amount, 63% of the rain fell during the monsoon
months (June to September), 31% during the pre-monsoon months (March to May),

5% during the post-monsoon months (October to November), and 1% during winter

(December to February). This uneven distribution of rainfall is the primary cause of
drainage congestion in the abated by unplanned urbanization, as it generates higher
runoff. Unplanned expansion of the city to accommodate increasing population has led
to severe encroachment in the wetlands, low lying areas, hills and shrinkage of forest
cover (Thakur and Goswami, 1993). Denudation of the hills and loss of wetlands thus
lead to water logging. Immediately after every down pour the city drains gets silted up
with silts coming with storm water running down the hills flooding the streets (Soil
Conservation Dept., Govt. of Assam, 2003). The wetlands also cannot cope up with
the excess storm water of the city. With other physiological factor remain un-altered,
changing of environment and landuse pattern have profound impact on storm water
drainage which was unheard of in the sixties.
Table 1-2: Monthly Rainfall (mm) in Guwahati from 2008 to 2012
Year
2010

2011

2012

Annual
Mean

10

23

Percent of
Annual Mean

2008

2009

January

34

February

10

March

139

60

124

54

23

80

April

159

112

370

101

382

225

May

143

200

356

225

181

221

June

354

190

483

88

396

302

July

236

363

251

373

344

313

August

281

287

234

204

310

263

September

126

100

223

256

180

177

October

116

119

76

58

74

November

15

December

Annual Total

1,600

1,440

2,122

1,350

1,892

1,681

June Sept.

997

940

1,190

921

1,230

1,056

63%

Oct. Nov.

116

123

81

16

58

79

5%
1%
31%

Month

Dec. - Feb.

46

34

18

21

Mar May

441

372

850

380

587

526

1.4 Population within the Project Area

The State of Assam has consistently witnessed a steady growth in population.
Assam accounts for more than 70% of the population of the North-East (Census
2001). The Kamrup District is one of the most densely populated regions in
Assam.Guwahati is a fast growing metropolis and the most important city of the region.
The city with a population of 8.9 Lakhs (Census 2001) is by far the largest settlement,
while Shillong and Imphal, with population sizes of only 2.7 and 2.5 lakhs, respectively,
are the second and third largest cities in the north-eastern region. With a substantial
increase in population in the last few decades, the city needs a well-structured
development plan in its infrastructure to sustain its rapid growth.

The population of the GMA has grown almost 6.5 times between 1971 and
2001. The municipal limit of the city during the period increased from 44 km2 in 1971 to
217 km2 in 1991 (Tables 1-3 and 1-4; Figure 1-5).

Table 1-3 Population Growth in Guwahati vis--vis India, Assam and Kamrup
1971
Name
India
Assam

1991

2001

Population
(in million)
548

Population
(in million)
846

Average Decadal
Growth Rate
24%

Population
(in million)
1,027

Average Decadal
Growth Rate
21%

14.6

22.4

24%
29%

26.6
2.5

19%
26%

Karup

1.2

2.0

GMA

0.29

0.65

48%

0.89

38%

GMCA

0.12

0.58

117%

0.81

39%

Table 1-4 Population Growth in Guwahati (1951 and 2001)

Year
1951
1961
1971
1991
2001
2011

Population in
GMCA
43,615
1,66,273
2,51,642
5,84,342
8,09,895

Decadal
Growth (%)
2.81
0.51
1.32
0.39

GMA excluding
GMCA
53,774
33,209
40,387
61,827
80,878

Decadal
Growth (%)
-0.38
0.22
0.53
0.31

GMA
97,389
1,99,482
2,92,029
6,46,169
8,90,773
9,68,549

Decadal
Growth (%)
1.05
0.46
1.21
0.38
0.09

Figure 1-6: Population Growth of Guwahati Metropolitan Area (1951 to 2001)

As a representative sample of economic status of the poplation, which has a
direct bearing on sewage, Bharalu sub-basin consists of the Kamrup metro district of
Assam in the plain portion and Ribhoi district of Meghalaya in the hilly catchment. The
plain catchment of the sub-basin, which is covered by greater Guwahati City, is
densely populated compared to the southern hilly portion of the catchment. The
population statistics of the Bharalu sub-basin are shown in Table 1-5.

Table 1-5: Population Statistics of Bharalu Sub-basin

District
Kamrup
Metropolitan

Type

Male

Female

Total

Urban

5,36,523

5,00,488

10,37,011

1,11,062
6,47,585

1,05,865
6,06,353

2,16,927
12,53,938

1,18,705

1,14,882

2,33,587

13,826
1,32,531

11,427
1,26,309

25,253
2,58,840

Rural
Total
Rural

Ribhoi

Urban
Total

2.0

Total Waste Water Generation

Quantification of the industrial waste reaching the Bharalu is not presently available.
At present, the city of Guwahati does not have an integrated sewerage system
except for select residential areas such as the Railway Colonies, the Oil Refinery
colonies and residential areas under defense establishments which have their own
sewerage and treatment facilities. The only collection and treatment process
followed is use of septic tanks. Therefore, much of the waste water generated in the
city is being disposed of into rivers without treatment (Tables 2-1 and 2-2).
Table 2-1: Waste Water Generation in Guwahati
Total Wastewater
Generated in the City
3
(m )

Total
Households in
the City
2,30,769
Notes:

1,03,932

Total Wastewater
Collected in the Septic
3
Tanks (m )

Total Households
Connected to Septic
Tanks
2

1,38,427

17,442

1 As per Census data 2011

2 Assumption being 80% of 135 lpcd water supplied to 9,62,334 people 3 As per secondary data
obtained from GMC
4 Assuming average household size of 4.2 (as per Census 2011) and 30 lpcd of wastewater

Table 2-2: Calculation of per Capita Sewage Generation

Description
Net per capita water demand for South Guwahati (proposed in Water Supply Project)
Add 10% for ICI demand1 @ 10%
Add ground water infiltration @ 5%
Sub Total
Considering 80% for sewage generation
USE

Demand
(lpcd)
135
13.5
6.75
155
124
125

Notes:
As the Guwahati is a fast growing city and Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) activities are taking place
at a rapid pace in some areas of the city, so a 10% provision has been used for ICI demand over the per capita
demand of water supply for the whole population. This will eventually cover the need of ICI demand for the city as a
whole taking care of unevenness of ICI demand distribution. This also accounts for the floating population which will
be working in the ICI facilities.
2. Per capita sewage generation is considered as 125 lpcd for GMDA area.
3. The catchment area of the Bharalu includes 36 wards of the city and a projected 2035 population of
approximately 870,000. The equivalent waste water generation from the projected population is shown in Table 2-3
below (Feasibility report of PCBA on Sewage Treatment)
1.

Table 2-3: Projection for Total Waste Water Generation for Bharalu Catchment Area
Population

River
Bahini
Bharalu
Total

2020
3,97,166
2,75,644
6,96,916

2035
6,08,842
3,97,984
10,06,826

2050
11,80,661
4,09,605
15,90,266

Sewage
Contribution
(lpcd)
125
125

Sewage Generation in
MLD
2020
2035
2050
44
58
137
25
33
38
69
91
175

2.1 Surface water scenario of the study area

The existing natural drainage of Guwahati comprises the Brahmaputra and its
minor tributaries such as the Bharalu, Mora Bharalu,
Khanajan, Basistha and
Bondajan. The Brahmaputra which flows in an east-west direction along the
northern fringe of Guwahati is only 1.5 km wide near the city. In addition to the
above mentioned tributaries, Digaru, Bonda, Amcheng, Barapani are some of the
other major streams that flow through the city; Digaru along with other tributaries like
Bonda and Amcheng form small plains in between the hill ranges in the east and
south-eastern part of the city. The three tributary basins of Guwahati, viz. the
Bondajan basin, the Bharalu basin and the Khanajan basin have contrasting
characters with a 9 degree, 6 degree and 3 degree slope respectively. This shows
that the average slope of the study area falls while traversing from the eastern to the
western, with exception of inter-basin separation. Khanajan in the western most part
of the city connects Deepor Beel (wetland) with the Brahmaputra. As the legend
goes, this was a river transport channel developed by the Mughal invaders to enter
into the Deepor Beel from the Brahmaputra. It makes sense, as the manmade
channel would have not developed against the lie of the land, had it been for storm
water drainage. Mora Bharalu is a small channel linking Bharalu with Basistha
stream on the south and south-eastern part of the city and flows to the Deepor
Beel. The city of Guwahati is dotted with numerous surface water bodies comprising
of wetlands and ponds. These water bodies play a significant role of balancing
reservoir of rainwater. But unplanned rapid urbanisation and development activities
have truncated these water bodies. At present, the city can boast of only six
wetlands, viz., the Deepor beel, Hahsora beel, Silsako beel, Narengi beel, Borsola
and Sarusola beel. The Deepor beel is the largest one and is also a Ramsar site.
The Borsola and Sarusola beels are located in the central part, while the Hahsora,
Narengi and Silsako beels are located in the eastern part of the city. Apart from the
various natural water bodies, there are a number of historic water tanks or ponds
within the city. These tanks which include Dighalipukhuri, Silpukhuri, Joorpukhuri,
Nagputapukhuri, Kamakhyapukhuri, etc. play a critical role in maintaining surface
water repositories of the city. These surface water bodies sustain water flow
dynamics between the high

Fig. 2. 1 : Guwahati city showing Municipal Ward Boundaries

land and low land of the citys landscape, function as storm water reservoir and act as
potential sites for natural recharge of the sub surface water.
The distribution of the surface water sources, however, is not uniform
throughout the city and is controlled by the landscape patterns along with the rivers
and streams which originate from the southern and north eastern highlands and flow
along the natural slope gradient of the city. Wetlands are located in the central, south
eastern and western parts of the city. These parts are primarily depressed valley areas
with remnants of palaeo-channels of Brahmaputra being traced through various
studies and surveys. It is observed that natural drainage exists in atleast 30 wards of
the city with the highest density of about 26 sq. kms. in ward number 46.(Fig 2.2).

Fig. 2.2 : The natural drainage density in different wards of Guwahati city
Moreover, it is evident from figure 2.3 that atleast 8 wards of the city viz, 1,
2, 13, 37, 46, 47, 51 and 52 have more than 5 sq. kms. of its area under wetlands and
these wetlands facilitate in maintaining the moisture content of soil in its vicinity and
also in building up the water table of the surrounding area.

Total area under wetland (in

sq. kms.)
Fig. 2.3 : Total area under wetland in different wards of Guwahati city

2.2

Drainage Channel

Bharalu is the master drainage channel of the GMC area which is highly
commercialized and industrialized and drains into the Brahmaputra at Bharalumukh
(Figure 2-2). From Basistha Chariali, the Bharalu flows up to Bharalumukh for
about 16 km with an average width of 5 to 9 m. The water depth varies with flow
and due to other reasons, but is on average 3 m. The peak discharge of the Bharalu
is about 35 m3/s.
Bharalu is the primary drainage course for most of the eastern and southern
part of Guwahati. Bharalu has several storm water drain outfall. The Bharalu
catchment area is covered by the G.N. Bordoloi Road in the North from Chandmari
to Bharalu, R.G. Baruah Road in the East including the Chandmari flyover, G.S.
Road in the South & South West from Dispur to Ulubari and L.P.B. Road up to
Sabipool and the road along the Bharalu River, reaching Kumarpara Pachali.
Municipal wards covered by this area are mainly Wards 18, 19, 20, 27 to 36
and 38 to 44. The topography is fairly flat with very little natural slope. The remaining
parts are covered with some hillocks and pockets of low lands. The basin covers
very densely populated areas of Guwahati. To regulate the flow of the river, a
sluice gate has been constructed by the State Water Resources Department at
Bharalumukh to prevent reverse flows from the Brahmaputra during high floods.
However, during the dry season, the flow is very low, the primary source being
urban drainage (sewage).
Several obstacles have been identified in the Bharalu between R.G. Baruah
Road Bridge Crossing to outlet. For example, at R.G. Baruah Road crossing,
projection of the lower slab of the road bridge together with crossings of service
pipelines have obstructed the flow through the drainage course and reduced its
carrying capacity. Moreover, a large number of temporary wooden foot bridges
along with a number of old existing bridges (both made of wood/timber and
concrete) at various locations along the Bharalu have obstructed normal flow of
water during peak hours due to lower deck level and thereby have reduced the
travel time of storm water through the drain considerably. At various locations,
these obstructions have led to water overflowing into the adjoining areas. A number
of shops and commercial establishments made inroad into the waterway of the drain
at Fatasil area. The width of the Bharalu ranges from approximately 10 to 18 m
increases to 36 m at the outfall point.

In high stages the Brahmaputra backflows into the Bharalu when exceed the
full supply level (FSL) of the Bharalu. As a precaution a sluice gate was erected at
Shantipur, backing up with drainage pumps.
There are several prominent secondary drains which serve the Bharalu
catchment area:

Pub-Sarania Rajgarh Area Secondary Drain: This is major

secondary covered drain carrying storm water from parts of Chandmari, carrying
storm water from Krishna Nagar and from the foothill of Sarania Hill on the eastern
side. The drain is divided into two parts; one towards Nabin Nagar-Anil Nagar
underground drain and the other reaching Lachit Nagar underground drain. The total
length of this drain is 3700 m.

Lachit Nagar Area Storm Drain (Lachit Nagar Road to Bharalu

Drainage Channel via B.T. College Road): It is a combination of a pipe conduit
(N.P.-3 Hume Pipe) and a concrete box drain. This underground drain carries storm
water from all of Lachit Nagar and the southern part of the Sarania Hill catchment
area through drains meeting it at different locations. This drain starts at the Lachit
Nagar G.S. Road junction and terminates at the Bharalu River through B.T. College
Road. The approximate length of the drain is 1 km.

Railway Open Drain (from Voltas Point near Sadin Office to B.Baruah
over bridge): This is an open concrete drain that was constructed in 2004. It carries
storm water from parts of Nabagraha Hill, Chandmari, Krishna Nagar and Silpukhuri
area. It flows through the railway culvert below the B. Baruah over-bridge and
passes through Hedayatpur and ultimately outfalls at Borosila Beel through
Solapara. The total length of the drain is about 1.3 km.

Underground drain from Ambari via parts of G.N.B. Road to Railway

open drain at Ambari: This drain carries storm runoff from Lamb Road area,
Ambari and parts of Uzan Bazar Area. This drain originates at the Lamb Road area,
then meets the railway culvert below B. Baruah over-bridge, and finally outfalls at
Borosila Beel.

R.G. Baruah Road Drain (From Zoo Narengi Tiniali to Bharalu Drain):
This is an open concrete drain. The origin point of this drain is at Zoo Narengi Tiniali;
the outfall is at the Bharalu. This is one of the major open secondary drains
collecting storm/ waste water from the Guwahati Refinery, Noonmati and
Bamunimaidan area through drains running along the railway line at Bamunimaidan,
the Bhaskar Nagar area and ultimately meeting it at Zoo Narengi Tiniali. Water from
Narikal Basti and Ambikagiri Nagar also contributes to this drain. Some of the runoff
from the Rajgarh and Chandmari areas is also contributing to this drain. This drain
meets the Bharalu at Jonali, the confluence between the Bharalu and the Bahini
Rivers. The total length of the drain is about 1 km.

Chandmari - Bharalu Secondary Drain (through Bhaskar Nagar,

Rajgarh, Nabin Nagar, Anil Nagar): This drain was constructed by the T&CP
Department and carries water from parts of the Chandmari area, Bhaskar Nagar,
Rajgarh, Nabin Nagar, part from Pub- Sarania and Anil Nagar. The total length of
this drain is almost 5 km.

Underground drain along the boundary of Nabin Nagar and Anil Nagar
to Bharalu (through Anil Nagar): This drain carries storm runoff from the Anil Nagar
area. Part of drain flows towards the Chandmari - Bharalu Secondary drain; the
remaining part of the drain flows towards the Bharalu primary drain. The total length
of the drain is 1.4 km.
Extended stretches of several drains are clogged with silt and garbage. Storm
runoff from adjoining hills and the runoff carries huge loads of silt and vegetation,
which ultimately get deposited within the drains, severely restricting flow. The
outfalls in the Borosila Beel have been reduced significantly due to encroachment

and garbage dumping, reducing the storage capacity of the lake.

Several of the manholes have been paved over by a layer of bitumen during
road construction. Some of the existing manholes were found to be damaged or
broken. Sometimes, manhole openings are inadequate for manual cleaning.
The major reasons of ineffectiveness of drains are therefore as follows:

Deposition of garbage and solid waste that reduce the carrying

capacity of the drain

HFL of the drain is higher than the surrounding area causing backflow.

Obstruction of flow at the outfall point due to silt deposition.

Obstruction in flow due to construction of low level cross structures on

the drain.

The outfall of Bharalu is severely clogged owing to silt deposit as well

as the outlet is discharging into the Brahmaputra orthogonally.

Photo 1 Outlet of Bharalu Stagnant Bharalu but Brahmaputra is flowing a point to ponder
Bharalu is stagnant, but Brahmaputra is flowing. Velocity is a vector, therefore, Bharalu should meet the
Brahmaputra as tangentially as possible.
3.0 Solution :

Since waterlogging in Guwahati is a problem, and not a disaster, there is

solution to address the problem, if one approach scientifically.
Going by the conservation of mass , Inflow outflow = +/- storage
Here inflow is runoff (hills+plains ) + sewage + infiltrated water
Outflow is the outflows of Bharalu, Khanajan and Bondajan. These outlet
needs development with priority. Bharalu outlet should meet the Brahmaputra at an
acute angle for augmenting the outflow.

The chronically inundated zones are as fillows

The major roads and areas severely affected from flood inundation problem were
identified based on field observation and can be listed as follows:
1)
Geetanagar / Hatigaon Chariali
upto Narengi

9)

Srimantapur

10)

Christianbasti area of G.S Road

2)
G.N.B Road from Guwahati Club
to Noonmati ( Except New Guwahati
Area )

11)

3)

R.G Baruah Road

12)

Some areas on the A.T Road

4)

Maligaon / Durgasarobar

13)

Santipur Bharalumukh area

5)

Guwahati College approach road

14)

Fatasil Ambari

6)
Nabagraha Road and its nearby
areas

15)

B.Baruah Road

16)

Hedayatpur

17)
18)
19)
20)

Lamb Road , Ambari

Gandhibasti area
B.K Kakoti Road
Kachari Garigaon

7)
Along the
Kanwachal road ,
particularly the southern part
8)
Nabin Nagar / Anil Nagar
/Ambikagiri Nagar / Tarun Nagar
/Lachit
Nagar upto Bhangagarh

Rukminigaon , Mathura Nagar

and some low-lying area in
Beltola

the principle of catchment planning, by developing the drainage system

catchment wise this vexed problem can be solved mostly by gravity. Severely waterlogged
Adhering to

Anil Nagar and Nabin nagar might be needing pumping because of its inherent limitation of
relief which can determined with the help of a contour map.
Bondajan outlet, which is now totally clogged should be activated through
rejuvenation and as and where necessary internal drainage should be developed
conforming to the drainage load for a projected population as stated elsewhere on the basis
of a contour survey map. Similarly, there are still possibilities of rectifying the layout of the

Khanajan towards downstream taking advantage of the culvert near Girijananda Chaudhury
Institute of Management and Technology.

Fig 2.4 Bondajan Development

Present Khanajan outlet

Fig 2.5 Proposed Khanajan Diversion through Kalmani stream

There are tremendous potential for watershed management in the hill portion of the
catchment where soil and water conservation will play a significant role. With standard
practice of contour bund, afforestation sediment yield can be arrested, through rainwater
harvesting water bodies can be created for multipurpose use of aquaculture, tourism etc
and can be commercially exploited from touristic angle. There are tremendous scope for
mass participation in these efforts.

Pic Proposed Rainwater Harvesting in situ in Hilly Catchment.

Pospect of Rainwater Harvesting in situ in the hilly cathcment

Proposed Soil conservation measures on the hilly catchment.

18

4.0 Conclusion : With the application modern technology for surveying a bas map be
prepared on priority basis which shall form the basis for drainage planning and
inplementation rather than the present practice of improving the drainage in a piecemeal
way. It should be a holistic approach of catchment planning in the principle of whole to
the parts, in other words starting with outlet development then watershde wise internal
drainage development. Watershed management in the hill cathcment will render
aesthatic beauty to this heavenly city we make dirtier. Bharalu river can be managed
with the sluice gate at Shantipara, as it snaking through the city centre, and can be
utilised for developing at floating market round the year, which will add a silver line to
the city of Ancient Lore Pragjyotishpur.
5.0 References
1
Bapalu, G.Venkata and Rajiv Sinha, 2005, GIS in Flood Hazard Mapping: A Case Study
of Kosi River Basin, India, GIS Development: The Geospatial Resource Portal, pp.1,
2
Correia et al., 1998, Floodplain Management in Urban Developing Areas. Part 2. GIS
Based Flood Analysis and Urban Growth Modelling, pp.27
3
City Development Plan (CDP), Guwahati, Govt. of Assam, July,2006, pp-70
4
Department of Soil Conservation, South Bank Division, Govt. of Assam, 2003, Concept
Paper on Soil Erosion Control for Managing Flash Floods in Guwahati City, Unpublished Report,
pp. 4-5.
5
Thakur, A and Goswami, D.C, 1993, Urban Sprawl and Land Suitability Analysis: A Case
Study of Guwahati City and its Environs, Proceedings of National Symposium on Remote
Sensing Applications for Resource Management with special emphasis on N.E Region,
Guwahati, pp.194-201
6

PCBA report by Louis Berger

19