Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Heavy rainfall beginning Tuesday evening left large parts of the capital city waterlogged by Wednesday, turning roads into virtual ponds, exposing the poor drainage system, and highlighting the failure of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The relentless rain inundated major roads and residential areas by morning. Residents from across the city, especially from posh localities such as Arera Colony E-7 and Shahpura, reported severe waterlogging.
The situation did not improve, and a school van carrying children got stuck in water in the Rohit Nagar Colony in Bawadia Kalan. The BMC rescue team, which reached the spot after half an hour, rescued the children safely in 15 minutes.
The BMC control room, which began receiving complaints from as early as 8 am on Tuesday, logged 19 complaints from across the city within 24 hours. Citizens alleged that they received no on-ground support despite repeated calls. In Ring Garden Colony, Karond, water remained logged till 2.30 pm. At Sanjeevani Clinic in Kohefiza, the road stayed waterlogged till noon, while residents of Sindhi Colony’s Qazi Camp area made multiple complaints.
In some cases, the water even entered homes. A house in Arera Colony’s upscale E-7 sector reported flooding, raising serious questions about the city’s infrastructure even in high-profile zones. Similarly, a family in Kaushalya Nagar, Awadhpuri, suffered property damage when rainwater entered their home.
Shankar Nagar |
Tree collapse reported
A large tree collapsed near Shyamla Hills around 8.45 am. Fortunately, no casualties werereported, but the incident highlighted the lack of proactive tree maintenance and safety checks by the municipal authorities.
Key routes hit
Key routes and areas that remained submerged for hours, causing major traffic disruptions and inconvenience, are Dr. Ambedkar Bridge, Banganga Square, Gayatri Mandir Road, Shahpura-Banskhedi Road, Alpana Tiraha, Hamidia Road, Nadra Bus Stand, and DIG Bungalow Road.
‘Nothing new’
“This happens every year. As soon as it rains, the roads turn into rivers and the administration sits idle,” said social worker Brijlal Sahu. Another citizen, Rupesh Sharma, remarked, “Unless the civic body finds a permanent solution, monsoons will always spell disaster for the city.”
‘Assistance given’
Responding to criticism, Fire Officer Saurabh Kumar Patel said, “Immediate assistance was sentto the areas from where complaints were received. Drainage teams and assistant health officers of respective zones were informed for follow-up action.”
