30-minute rain causes waterlogging & traffic congestion in Nashik city
Nashik: Heavy rainfall that lashed Nashik city for barely 30 minutes caused waterlogging and traffic disruption in multiple locations.The city got 16mm of rain in a half-hour period around 3.30pm.
Waterlogging occurred at College Road, Gangapur Road, the middle ring road behind Nashik APMC along Peth Road, near Tarwala traffic signal, and several locations in Panchavati, Cidco, and Satpur areas.The rainfall highlighted the Nashik Municipal Corporation's failure to complete pre-monsoon preparations, including cleaning of stormwater drainage chambers and nullahs. Despite multiple instances of flooding last month and municipal commissioner Manisha Khatri's May 31 deadline, civic officials failed to complete the necessary works.
The commissioner has now extended the deadline to June 15.The downpour caused numerous trees to fall. Fire brigade officials reported tree incidents at several locations across Panchvati, Cidco, and Nashik Road divisions. Last month's severe weather uprooted 250 trees and damaged an equal number of tree branches, resulting in damage to 30-40 vehicles. The civic body's garden department has initiated trimming of hazardous trees to prevent future incidents during the monsoon.
Thursday's rainfall halted the NMC's road repair activities, as tarring cannot proceed in wet conditions. Local resident Sanjay Jagtap, who was shopping when the rain started, noted the waterlogging and traffic issues. He said there is an urgent need for the civic body to complete the drainage system cleaning wherever pending.NMC has identified 210 waterlogging-prone areas in the city. Officials report implementing solutions at several locations, with remaining measures to be completed by June 15.The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Friday, forecasting thunderstorms, lightning, moderate rainfall, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) in isolated areas of Nashik district. Light to moderate rainfall is predicted from Saturday through Monday. Thursday afternoon's rainfall also affected parts of Nashik, Sinnar, Yeola, and Niphad talukas.
