Orange alert as rain leaves Gurugram waterlogged; disrupts traffic

Gurugram on Monday witnessed intense spells of rain, inundating several arterial roads, residential pockets and highways. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Gurugram. It also forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Haryana.Waterlogging was also reported around Sector 29, Club Palms and the main road near DLF Super Mart. (PTI)Several parts of the city reported ankle-to-knee-deep water on roads. Waterlogging was reported in Sector 10 near Euro International School, South City-1, Sector 69’s Tulip Chowk and 60-metre road, Narsinghpur, sectors 9, 14 and 45, DLF Phase 3’s V Block, Ardee City towards Sector 52, Sector 52A, Sector 5 and the Airia Mall stretch on Sohna Road.The Sector 52A market was among the most affected areas, with visuals showing commuters wading through knee-deep water. Waterlogging was also reported around Sector 29, Club Palms and the main road near DLF Super Mart.The rain also severely affected traffic movement across the city. Slow-moving traffic was reported on major routes, including Rajiv Chowk, Sector 15 Part 2, Sector 67’s Main Gujjar Road, Old Railway Road, the Mini Secretariat stretch, NH-48, IFFCO Chowk, Sohna Road and several parts of Old Gurugram.Also Read:Delhi red alert as IMD warns of heavy rain, lightning; orange alert on Noida, Gurgaon, GhaziabadTraffic police teams were deployed at key locations to regulate vehicle movement and manage congestion.“Traffic teams have been deployed on site for managing vehicle movement, and assistance from local police stations has also been taken. We will take up route diversions wherever necessary,” said ACP traffic (headquarters and highways) Satyapal Yadav.“Sensitive points like Sheetla Mata Underpass are being taken care of. NHAI also has workers deployed on the site,” he added.The rain once again raised questions over the monsoon preparedness of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) and Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), particularly as several of the affected stretches have repeatedly faced waterlogging during the rainy season.The MCG office in Sector 34 was also affected, with rainwater accumulating in its parking area and submerging the tyres of several cars.The waterlogging came despite civic agencies carrying out desilting of stormwater drains ahead of and during the monsoon. The MCG and GMDA also floated tenders for installing sump wells at several locations to improve drainage.However, Monday’s rain showed that several vulnerable stretches continued to struggle with water discharge.With more rain forecast in the coming days, residents said recurring waterlogging at the same locations continued to highlight the need for a more permanent solution to the city’s drainage problems.