Pre-monsoon showers lash city, cause traffic, waterlogging in several areas

It slowed down traffic and many people found it difficult to travel even short distances. I had to delay going to work today, seeing the traffic congestion. SAYALI SHINDE, Dhankwadi resident

- Gayatri Vajpeyee

PUNE: Pune witnessed intense pre-monsoon rainfall on Tuesday, which led to waterlogging and traffic disruptions in various parts. According to data shared by India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city recorded 18.7 mm rainfall in just 40-50 minutes in the morning, even as showers continued till late in the afternoon.

As people struggled to make their way through the city's thoroughfares with significant amount of water accumulation, in some areas the drainage system failed to hold the sudden influx of water. Videos of rain water cascading from the newly inaugurated Sinhagad Road fly-over was shared through the day; it underlined the water management flaws in construction of the flyover. Others also took to several social media platforms to share visuals of the sudden downpour.

Sonali Gaikwad, a resident of Pashan, said: "While the spell of rain was a welcome relief from the scorching heat in Pune, waterlogging due incomplete road work made it difficult for many of us to travel in the Pashan-Sus area. Now that monsoon will be here soon, I hope the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will take serious note of all the incomplete work and solve this issue as soon as possible." Sayali Shinde, who lives in Dhankwadi, complained about water logging in her area. "It slowed down traffic and many people found it difficult to travel even short distances. I had to delay going to work today, seeing the traffic congestion on the road," she said.