Surat Rain: Fifth Day of Water-logging Stalls traffic on Udhna–Navsari Road

Heavy, relentless rainfall pounded Surat on Saturday, severely disrupting daily life and exposing the city’s infrastructure vulnerabilities. The Udhna area was among the worst hit, facing severe waterlogging for the fifth consecutive day, which led to massive traffic snarls on the Udhna-Navsari road and immense difficulties for commuters and pedestrians.

The downpour, which began in the morning, transformed low-lying areas across the city into virtual ponds. The situation has raised serious questions about the pre-monsoon preparedness claims made by the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC). The civic body had previously asserted that it had undertaken extensive pre-monsoon work, including drain cleaning and special measures to prevent water accumulation. However, the intense rainfall has starkly revealed the inadequacy of these efforts.

The waterlogging on the crucial Udhna-Navsari road brought vehicular movement to a standstill for hours. Vehicles were forced to move at a crawl, and many broke down, exacerbating the gridlock. Local residents reported that this annual monsoon ordeal has become a recurring nightmare, with permanent solutions remaining elusive despite repeated complaints.

With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting more heavy rain, the situation presents a significant challenge for the SMC. Citizens are now urging the municipal authorities to take immediate notice of the crisis and implement effective water drainage systems to provide relief from the chaos.