Shillong: Ri-Bhoi authorities are scrambling to keep traffic moving between Shillong and Guwahati as floods repeatedly choke the Jorabat junction. Water surged through the area on Tuesday morning before finally receding by evening. Officials expect more flash floods soon. High alert is the new status for everyone involved.
Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Dr. Abhishek Saini ordered police to man the junction around the clock. A technical team now monitors the site to pinpoint exactly why the water keeps rising. Poor road conditions plague the alternate route through Killing and Pilangkata, leaving travelers with few options.
Investigation shows the trouble started with the Jorabat flyover. Excavation for the structure created a saucer-shaped depression that traps runoff. Choked culverts in a drain flowing from Meghalaya into Assam further compound the mess. "Ri-Bhoi district administration has adopted a multi-pronged approach to keep the road functional during such incidents," said Saini.
Private businesses like gas stations and hospitals must clear their own drains to prevent blockages. The National Highways Authority of India is now building a six-lane road from Khanapara to Jorabat. They promised bigger drains to handle the outflow.
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