Assam: Elephant wades through flooded streets of Sonapur as heavy rains lash Guwahati and nearby areas

An unusual sight captured public attention on Sunday, October 5 afternoon when a majestic elephant, guided by its mahout, was seen wading through floodwaters in Sonapur, following intense rainfall that inundated large parts of Guwahati and its adjoining areas.

The unexpected scene drew curiosity and concern among commuters and bystanders who watched the animal calmly making its way through the submerged streets, symbolizing the city’s recurring monsoon woes.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Guwahati, a sudden spell of heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms lashed several parts of Assam on Sunday afternoon, catching residents off guard. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the downpour to a cyclonic circulation forming over northeast Bihar and its adjoining regions, which is extending up to 4.5 km above mean sea level.

The system is reportedly drawing significant moisture from the Bay of Bengal, triggering widespread rains, lightning, and gusty winds across many districts of Assam.

The RMC forecast indicates moderate to heavy rainfall in most areas, with very heavy to extremely heavy downpours likely in parts of western Assam, particularly in Chirang and Kokrajhar districts. Thunderstorms and lightning, accompanied by winds speeding 40–50 kmph, are also predicted in these regions.

The weather advisory further warns of 7–20 cm of rainfall within 24 hours in Dhubri, Baksa, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, and Tamulpur, while rainfall activity is expected to gradually subside within the next 24 hours, though intermittent showers may persist for another day.

The seven-day IMD outlook suggests continued rainfall and thundershower activity across most parts of Assam till October 10, with western and lower Assam likely to face the heaviest impact. Central Assam (Barpeta, Bajali, Kamrup) and upper Assam (Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji) are also expected to experience similar weather patterns.