Shillong: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong pushed back against Assam on July 29, dismissing claims that Meghalaya’s development causes Guwahati’s flash floods. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has repeatedly blamed hill-cutting in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district, specifically targeting the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, for the city's water woes. Sarma argues that runoff from the Jorabat hills has become unmanageable and pointed to a Supreme Court-constituted committee report warning about illegal construction.
Tynsong rejected the narrative that his state is at fault. He pointed out the obvious reality of the region's geography. “We are on high ground and Assam is in a low-lying area; we cannot change that,” Tynsong said. He argued that flooding is a natural result of Assam’s topography rather than Shillong’s construction projects. The deputy chief minister maintained that while both states share the impact of extreme weather, Meghalaya should not be singled out.
The exchange highlights a sharp divide. Previously, Cabinet Minister Marcuise Marak noted the government was examining the issue, but Tynsong’s latest remarks directly counter Sarma’s accusations. Areas like Jorabat, Khanapara, and the Guwahati Airport remain hotspots during heavy rain. Tynsong argued that pinning blame helps no one. He stressed that both states share responsibility for the crisis.
Looking ahead, Tynsong cited Assam’s proposed six-lane ring road as a path toward better regional infrastructure. He confirmed plans to develop a high-speed corridor linking the Jorabat-Sonapur region to areas in Meghalaya. He insisted that such projects must prioritize drainage. “The drainage system has to be properly designed, and the culvert system also needs to be in place. These are issues that have already been taken care of,” he said. He added that while consultants are planning for water flow, predicting the exact scale of rainfall remains difficult.
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