Assam Innovation: Simple Solar Device Warns of Hidden Underwater Drains During Floods

August 6, 07:03

To change this situation, 38-year-old Abhijit Dwara from Sivasagar, Assam, developed an inexpensive solar safety device using discarded plastic bottles. During the day, the device's reflector makes hidden dangers visible, and at night, automatic solar lighting helps pedestrians and drivers stay safe.

An arts graduate, Abhijit, has already created over 50 useful items from waste and now hopes that this simple invention will be implemented in flood-prone areas to prevent accidents and save lives.

Sometimes the most effective solutions are not the most expensive—they are created with compassion and determination.

Every monsoon, flooded streets turn into a hidden threat. Open drains and deep pits disappear from sight under murky water, turning a simple walk or ride into a life-threatening situation. Such accidents occur annually in flood-affected areas of Assam.

For 38-year-old Abhijit Dwara from Sivasagar, the answer was not in expensive technology but in a discarded plastic bottle. He developed a simple solar safety device that warns people about dangers hidden underwater during floods. Made from used plastic bottles and other inexpensive materials, the device reflects sunlight during the day, making it easier to detect submerged drains and potholes. After sunset, the built-in solar light automatically turns on, helping pedestrians and drivers navigate flooded roads more safely. This is a simple idea that could significantly change the situation in areas suffering from flooding every monsoon.

When a Plastic Bottle Becomes a Lifesaver

Innovation has always been a way for Abhijit to solve everyday problems. Over the years, this self-taught individual has created over 50 products using discarded materials. His inventions range from wearable devices to assist people with visual impairments to shelters for homeless dogs made from old televisions. During the floods in Sivasagar this year, he also converted his motorcycle into a mobile solar charging station, allowing residents without electricity to charge their phones.

Now he hopes his latest invention will find use in flooded towns and villages, where a simple warning marker can prevent a catastrophic accident. For him, innovation has never been about creating something extraordinary; it has always been about using what others throw away to protect lives and serve the community.

thebetterindia.comAugust 4, 11:18

Startup from Tripura Provides Safe Water for Flood-Affected Families in Assam

Every year, the monsoon season turns significant areas of Assam into a landscape of overgrown rivers and flooded settlements. This year was no exception. Unceasing rains and overflowing rivers submerged villages, damaged housing and infrastructure, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes and disrupting daily life in many areas.

In addition to human losses, the floods caused serious damage to wildlife and livestock. Animals were swept away by strong currents, and many struggled for food and shelter as vast areas of land were underwater.

However, even after the water begins to recede, another crisis arises—the problem of access to clean drinking water.

The Hidden Crisis After the Water Recedes

Floodwaters often contaminate wells, ponds, and public sources with sewage, waste, and other pollutants, creating ideal conditions for waterborne diseases. For families cut off from regular supplies, ensuring clean drinking water can become a daily struggle.

In these difficult conditions, a promising solution has emerged from neighboring Tripura. The startup InstaWater, incubated at Tripura University, uses patented mobile water purification technology to deliver safe drinking water directly to flood-affected communities in Assam.

This initiative demonstrates the vital role that locally developed innovations can play in disaster response, helping communities meet one of the most basic and urgent needs when traditional supply chains are disrupted.

Delivering Clean Water Directly to Affected Families

InstaWater, supported by Tripura University, is deploying its patented mobile water purification technology to assist communities affected by flooding in Assam. Recently, the team arrived in Amburi in Assam and provided over 2000 liters of purified drinking water to approximately 30 affected families.

A notable aspect of this initiative is its ability to purify contaminated floodwater on-site. Instead of transporting large volumes of bottled water to remote areas, the portable purification system transforms unsafe water into clean drinking water where it is most needed.

The operation involved InstaWater founder, Professor Hardjit Nath, along with postgraduate student Ashim and technician Santanu. Their mobile unit traveled through flood-affected villages, producing safe drinking water directly from available sources, providing immediate access for residents facing acute shortages.

By delivering clean water at the point of need, the technology not only solves a basic humanitarian task but also helps reduce the risk of disease outbreaks that often follow floods. This initiative shows how local solutions can complement traditional aid measures and strengthen disaster response in challenging environments.

Innovation as an Enabler in Disaster Response

The intervention by InstaWater offers insight into the evolving disaster response ecosystem in India. While rescue teams, government agencies, and aid workers remain at the forefront of emergency operations, technological solutions are increasingly helping to bridge critical gaps on the ground.

In flood-affected villages in Assam, the InstaWater mobile purification unit demonstrates how indigenous technology can enhance humanitarian response, support vulnerable communities, and solve critical problems during emergencies.

As climate-induced disasters become more frequent and intense, such innovations will play an increasingly important role in building resilience, complementing traditional aid efforts and helping communities recover faster during crises.