Authorities sit on restoration of defunct drainage system in Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 23: A brief spell of rain in Srinagar last week led to sudden and severe waterlogging in various parts of the city, including the bustling city centre areas such as Polo View, Residency Road, and Lal Chowk.

The unexpected flooding has once again raised concerns over the effectiveness of the newly constructed drainage system under Srinagar Smart City project, which was expected to prevent such occurrences.

The rainfall, which lasted only for about 30 minutes, was enough to leave several key roads and intersections submerged, causing traffic disruptions and inconvenience to commuters. The water levels in some areas rose so quickly that pedestrians had to wade through ankle-deep water, and vehicles were seen struggling to navigate the flooded streets.

Among the worst-hit areas were Polo View, Residency Road, and Lal Chowk—considered posh markets. These locations are home to numerous businesses, government offices, and are frequented by locals and tourists alike. Despite the significant investments in infrastructure, these areas experienced waterlogging almost immediately after the rain began.

The sudden waterlogging not only caused inconvenience to the general public but also had an impact on local businesses. Many shops in the affected areas were forced to close temporarily as the water levels made it difficult for customers to access them. Shop owners are now calling for immediate action from the authorities to prevent such incidents from recurring.

People and shopkeepers express their frustration and disappointment, questioning the efficiency of drainage system. "It is shocking to see that even a short spell of rain can bring the city to a standstill. We were assured that the new drainage system would solve the waterlogging problem, but it seems like nothing has changed," Mushtaq Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Lal Chowk said.

Another resident of Residency Road lamented the situation. "This is supposed to be one of the posh areas of the city, yet we face the same issues as other parts of Srinagar. It is embarrassing and frustrating."

The waterlogging in these central areas has cast a shadow over the authorities' claims of having upgraded the city's drainage infrastructure. The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) had earlier touted the completion of drainage projects in the city centre as a major achievement, assuring citizens that the frequent waterlogging problems would be a thing of the past.

However, last week’s incident has revealed glaring shortcomings in the system, prompting calls for an immediate review of the drainage infrastructure. Experts suggest that the design and execution of the drainage system might be flawed, or that the system is not capable of handling even moderate rainfall.

A senior official from the SMC admitted that there might be issues with the drainage system that need to be addressed. "We are aware of the situation and are looking into the causes of the waterlogging. It is possible that certain areas require further enhancement of the drainage capacity. We will ensure that necessary measures are taken to prevent such incidents in the future," the official said.