As heavy rain lashed several parts of the National capital region (NCR), Gurugram, once again witnessed widespread waterlogging, inundated roads, exposing the city’s chronic drainage problems. The administration urged all corporate offices, private institutions and all government offices and schools to work from home from August 25 until further notice.
According to Gurugram’s district administration, the highest rainfall of 75 mm was recorded at the Gurugram tehsil between 8 am and 3 pm on Monday. Waterlogging was reported at several key junctions and arterial roads with traffic particularly affected around Rajiv Chowk, Narsinghpur, IFFCO Chowk, Sirhaul border, NH-48, Sohna Road, Sheetla Mata Road and parts of Old Gurugram.
4 km-long traffic jam in Gurugram
In the evening, there was a 4 km-long traffic jam on Sohna Road near Islampur Village. Traffic police said teams were deployed on the ground and route diversions would be considered wherever necessary.
This, despite GMDA claiming it had strengthened drainage infrastructure and addressed waterlogging at vulnerable points.
In response, GMDA executive engineer Vikram Kalkal said.
“The drains constructed by the authority took the water as per their design parameters but the water was too much. The water gradually cleared at Narsinghpur, Subash Chowk and Sheetla Mata Road as well in four to five hours. The new drain at Tau Devi Lal stadium also helped but the system will get affected due to intense rainfall.”
Waterlogging in Noida, Ghaziabad
Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad were also affected as waterlogging resulted in traffic snarls and, at several locations, forced pedestrians to wade through knee-deep water.
Waterlogging was reported in Noida’s Sector 95, near Sector 62 metro station, among other areas while residents in Greater Noida West reported water accumulation around ACE Divino and other residential pockets.
Stretches around Chilla, Barola and parts of Sector 100 in Noida, as well as Tilapta Main Road in Greater Noida also saw accumulation.
Officials of Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation said there was minor waterlogging for a brief period.
“The water drained within an hour, as it did not rain heavily. Our teams were working at all 55 waterlogging points across the city and ensured that no waterlogging persisted,” KP Anand, the corporation’s general manager (water works), told HT.
