MET predicts intense showers accompanied by thunderstorms over many parts of Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam
Srinagar: A few hours of heavy showers on Monday evening, and Srinagar’s Residency Road, Dal Gate, Lal Chowk, turned into cesspools, exposing the much-taunted Smart City Project as the poor drainage system again exposed the fragility of Srinagar city.
The downpour, which was already predicted by the weather authorities, submerged large portions of the road, causing severe inconvenience to commuters and shopkeepers.
Videos and pictures being circulated from Dal Gate and other areas of Srinagar, following the rainfall, showed vehicles wading through knee-deep water with pedestrians forced to walk along inundated pavements.
Though Srinagar Smart City project is already a scam, which is being investigated by concerned agencies, every drizzle, gets it back to fore questioning the government’s commitment to unearth scams that have been plaguing Kashmir from past several decades.
The waterlogging in most of the Srinagar areas triggered traffic jams as the the Meteorological (MeT) Centre Srinagar issued a fresh advisory, warning of more intense showers in the region.
“A system is approaching Srinagar. Heavy and intense showers accompanied with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are expected over many parts of Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam,” the advisory read.
It also urged people to stay away from electric poles, old trees and loose structures, and advised suspension of shikara riding and boating activities in all water bodies, including Dal Lake.
Moreover, residents urged authorities to take immediate measures to clear the choked drains and prevent further waterlogging. “The rains are not in our control, but drainage surely is. If this is the condition after one evening’s rain, what will happen if it rains for days?” asked another resident.
