Rains continue to cool Srinagar

Srinagar, Jul 9: After weeks of heatwave, continuous rainfall for the third straight day has brought much-needed relief to Srinagar and several other districts of Kashmir. The temperatures have dipped significantly, offering respite to people who had been battling an unforgiving heatwave that had forced many to remain indoors through much of the day.

Residents across Srinagar said the recent spell of rain has outdoors bearable again. “The past few weeks were simply treacherous. We would only step out when absolutely necessary because the heat was intolerable. The rains have truly been a blessing for us,” said Aafaq Ahmad, a resident of Harwan.

With schools now open, parents said young students, too, had found much relief after struggling through the intense heat. They said it has been very difficult, especially in classrooms where cooling arrangements are nearly absent.

However, even as the city enjoys the cooler weather, the rains have also exposed the glaring shortcomings in Srinagar’s civic infrastructure. Locals complained that poor drainage systems have resulted in severe waterlogging in several areas, turning streets into muddy pools and making daily commuting a struggle.

In many parts of Downtown Srinagar, residents described the situation as a mix of relief and fresh worries. “It has been a bag of mixed feelings. We are happy to get a break from the heat but our entire neighborhood submerged in water. The drainage system has completely failed. It is difficult to even walk in the area without wading through water,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a resident of Nowhatta.

The rains have also turned Srinagar’s already battered roads into cesspools. Commuters said that those on two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws had to navigate pothole-ridden, waterlogged streets. They said in areas like Hazratbal and Downtown, large pools of stagnant water had collected in deep potholes, causing traffic jams and road mishaps.

“It is very difficult for auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers to drive on these roads in the rain. Most of the roads are full of potholes, and there are even open manholes in some places. In these conditions, it becomes a nightmare to drive safely,” said Hilal Ahmad, an auto-rickshaw operator from Hawal.

Frustrated residents are now urging the administration and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to act swiftly to address the city’s deteriorating roads and drainage system.