The Adani group-operated Guwahati airport faced severe disruption as heavy rain swept through the northeastern states on March 31. Flights had to be diverted to other locations, leaving numerous passengers stranded at the rain-soaked terminal. The airport, known as Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, holds significant importance for air connectivity in the region, serving Assam’s capital and passengers from neighboring states like Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
Videos shared on social media went viral, showing water pouring down on restaurants and shops within the airport, forcing them to shut down. Parts of the airport were completely flooded, causing passengers and staff panic. A portion of the ceiling collapsed in an area where luggage was being checked, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The Adani group took over Guwahati Airport’s operations, management, and development in 2021 as part of the government’s decision to privatize several airports. While cosmetic changes were made, the recent heavy rainfall exposed vulnerabilities in the infrastructure.
In addition to the chaos at Guwahati airport, the storm also significantly impacted other northeastern states. Meghalaya witnessed over 200 people becoming homeless due to damaged houses and uprooted trees. Tripura reported one fatality due to lightning, along with numerous houses and trees being destroyed. Manipur experienced the loss of homes, damaged crops, and livestock shelters, while Sikkim also reported damage caused by the heavy rain.
This incident raises concerns about infrastructure preparedness and the need for improved disaster management to mitigate such disruptions in the future.
