'Control Jorabat Development, Otherwise...': Assam CM's Warning To Meghalaya Amid Deadly Floods

Last Updated:July 24, 2026, 17:49 IST

Assam CM flags a growing risk to Guwahati amid worsening floods, as rising waters and regional concerns add urgency to an already serious situation.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday flagged concerns over rapid development around Jorabat, saying a Supreme Court-appointed panel has warned of serious risks to Guwahati. He said construction in and around USTM and adjoining areas could pose a “huge threat" to the city.

He urged the Meghalaya government to take a “sympathetic view" of the impact on Assam and consider regulating activity in the region. Without such steps, he warned, Guwahati could become “unmanageable", with incoming water overwhelming any drainage system.

Sarma said he is in touch with his Meghalaya counterpart and added that the Supreme Court of India is hearing the matter, with arguments likely soon.

“So, I’ll only appeal to the Meghalaya Government to see how development in and around Jorabat can be controlled. Otherwise, Guwahati will become an unmanageable city. It will be very difficult. We will not be able to keep Guwahati intact because the kind of water that comes down cannot be managed by any kind of drainage system," the Assam Chief Minister said, before adding that he is speaking with Meghalaya’s CM Conrad Sangma.

Worsening Flood Situation

The remarks come as Assam’s flood situation worsens. The death toll has risen to 47, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, with more fatalities reported in the past 24 hours. Several parts of Guwahati remain waterlogged after heavy rain.

Over 6.5 lakh people across 11 districts have been affected. Sivasagar is the worst hit, followed by Charaideo and Jorhat. Hundreds of villages remain inundated.

Sarma’s Visit

Visiting a relief camp in Dergaon, Sarma described the situation as “serious" and said casualties could rise further. He linked the current wave of flooding to a cloudburst in neighbouring Nagaland, which sent large volumes of water downstream into Assam.

Water levels in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries continue to rise at multiple locations, adding to concerns on the ground.

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