Rain spell takes lid off defunct drainage system in Srinagar

Srinagar, Jun 27: In yet another instance of poor drainage management, various areas of the summer capital witnessed waterlogging following a brief spell of rains in wee hours.

Residents of the Naribal locality of Soura were shocked to see water gushing into their houses during rains. The residents said that the locality, which lies close to the Soura Maternity Hospital, said water entered their homes within minutes, submerging ground floors, including kitchens, living spaces and damaging electrical appliances.

“It was barely half an hour after dawn when we realised water had entered our homes. All the rooms on the ground floor are flooded, and we have shifted upstairs with whatever essentials we could manage,” said a resident of the area.

The aggrieved residents said that the issue has affected dozens of households in the locality, where residents are now unable to walk out of their homes or commute, with normal life completely thrown off track.

Meanwhile, videos shared on social media show submerged streets and household items, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

“This isn’t the first time we are facing this. Even after minor rains, our lanes get flooded. We have been continuously appealing to the authorities for years, but nothing has been done to address the drainage issue here,” said another local.

The locals in Srinagar are continuously decrying that waterlogging after brief spells of rain is a recurring issue in many parts, especially in areas like Downtown, Hazratbal, and several uptown localities. They said the city’s inadequate drainage infrastructure often leaves residential and commercial areas inundated, affecting daily life and posing health risks.

“The administration claims to be developing a Smart City, but we have been left to fend for ourselves. Either the government should resolve this issue permanently or arrange for our relocation,” the locals said.

A senior official from Srinagar Smart City Limited said that while several drainage networks have been augmented under the Smart City project across Srinagar, the Naribal-Soura area has not been covered under the project.

“We have upgraded multiple drainage systems in various parts of the city, but unfortunately, this particular area hasn’t been taken up under the Smart City initiative yet,” the official said.

Residents have urged the administration to address the crisis on an immediate basis to prevent further damage to property and ensure safety.

“Waterlogging is mainly caused due to defunct drains. Since 2014, most of the drains in the city have been blocked and have never been cleaned. Authorities must undertake cleaning of all drains in the city to prevent waterlogging,” Abdul Hamid, a resident, said.