Rains paralyse Delhi traffic, citizens question high taxes
Waterlogging hit Delhi roads as severe rains hit the city on Wednesday night.
Heavy rain hit the Hauz Khas area of South Delhi on Wednesday, causing severe traffic jams and widespread waterlogging. The downpour resulted in chaos as cars got stuck in flooded streets, and people struggled with both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. The situation was particularly dire near Aurobindo Road, where water overflow made it impossible for some cars to move. Many commuters could not reach metro stations and had to wait in their offices, hoping for the rain to stop. This led to long hours of waiting and increasing frustration among the residents.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Automatic Weather Station (AWS) network, the Pragati Maidan observatory in central Delhi recorded a staggering 112.5 mm of rainfall in just one hour. This intense rainfall overwhelmed the city’s drainage system, exacerbating the waterlogging issue in various parts of Delhi, including Hauz Khas.
In response to the heavy rainfall, the Delhi Lt Governor issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), urging officers to remain vigilant and address the waterlogging promptly. “Apart from ensuring minimum inconvenience to people in general, they are advised to specifically address issues at sites prone to waterlogging, including coaching centres,” he said in his post. The Lt Governor’s call for action highlighted the need for immediate measures to alleviate the situation and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Despite these reassurances, residents expressed their frustration and dissatisfaction with the recurring problem of waterlogging. Many questioned the efficacy of the government’s efforts in addressing this perennial issue.
Alankar Tyagi, a daily commuter to Hauz Khas, voiced his concerns: “We pay more and more taxes, but we face these situations. You can see we can’t even move and go to the metro station to reach home. I am stuck here for two hours, and I don’t know what time I will reach home today. This is a bad situation all across as cars are also getting stuck here.”
The sentiment was echoed by numerous others who were caught in the downpour. The exasperation was palpable as people struggled to navigate the flooded streets, questioning the use of their taxes when basic infrastructure improvements seemed lacking. The recurring nature of these waterlogging issues has led to growing discontent among the residents of Delhi, who feel that not enough is being done to address the root causes of the problem.
Many residents took to social media to share their grievances and demand action from the authorities. The scenes of stranded vehicles, frustrated commuters, and flooded streets painted a grim picture of the city’s infrastructure capabilities in handling heavy rainfall. The frequent waterlogging has not only caused inconvenience but has also raised serious questions about urban planning and the effectiveness of the drainage systems in place.
Delhi LG posted on social media platform X, “Have cautioned all officers to remain alert in light of the ongoing heavy downpour in Delhi. Apart from ensuring minimum inconvenience to people in general, they are advised to specifically address issues at sites prone to waterlogging, including coaching centres.”
The waterlogging in Hauz Khas highlighted the pressing need for better infrastructure and more efficient drainage systems in Delhi. The chaos and disruption caused by the waterlogging underscored the city’s vulnerability to heavy rainfall and the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate such issues. As residents continue to grapple with these challenges, the demand for accountability and effective solutions from the government remains stronger than ever.
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