GUWAHATI: A large boulder came crashing down onto a residential house at Uldalbakra, off Bishnu Rabha Path, on Wednesday, July 15, evening in what could be called the latest sign of the city's worsening landslide problem.
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The incident occurred around 7:15 PM at the home of Ratan Das, when a boulder dislodged from the hillside behind the property struck the rear of the house, completely destroying the bathroom. The impact left significant cracks of the wall on one room.
The home owners wife, daughter, and son were present at the time. The daughter, who was standing close to the point of impact, narrowly escaped injury.
Officials from the local Circle office visited the site soon after the incident and carried out an on-the-spot assessment.
An official present said that all necessary personnel from the administration had arrived and conducted a proper inspection, and assured that the debris would be cleared by the following morning, with a fuller damage assessment to follow to ensure the safety of the residents.
A fire safety truck dispatched to the scene was unable to reach the house, as the narrow bylane leading to the property could not accommodate the vehicle, underscoring a recurring challenge in Guwahati's hill localities, where emergency response is often hampered by inadequate road infrastructure. The official addressed the issue and instructed the locals to discuss any possible solution.
No injuries were reported. Authorities are expected to return on Thursday to clear the debris and evaluate the extent of structural damage to the house.