Few inches of snowfall water-logs city centre

Rains coupled with snowfall today caused water-logging in various areas of the summer capital even as authorities failed put in measures for dewatering.
The downpour and few inches of snowfall water-logged several areas of Srinagar. The commercial hub Lal Chowk and its surrounding areas including Residency Road, MA Road and Radio Kashmir crossing also remained water logged.
In absence of proper drainage system, Natipora, Exhibition Crossing, Hari Singh high Street, Jawahar Nagar, Indra Nagar and Pandrethan were also water-logged.
Despite the forecast of rains and snowfall by the local MeT office for two consecutive days, authorities failed to take measures for dewatering.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) did not hold any review meeting to address the situation arising due to inclement weather. “SMC did not put any dewatering system or pumps in use as a result several areas were water logged following rains and snowfall,” said Abdul Hamid, a commuter.
“Due to water-logging at Radio Kashmir crossing, commuters faced immense problems,” said Mehrajuddin, a pedestrian pointing towards inundated stretch near the foundation.
However, SMC officials claimed that they had put men and machinery on standby mode. “Our 76 permanent dewatering stations are working. 25 additional mobile dewatering pumps were also installed on the locations which are vulnerable to water logging. Besides, we have pressed four pumps into service recently taken from ERA,” said SMC’s Media Relations Officer, Masrat Yousuf.