Survey finds 112 flood points as city braces for another rough monsoon

GURGAON: The district administration has identified 112 waterlogging-prone spots in the city and appointed 20 nodal officers to ensure flooded roads are made motorable quickly as monsoon approaches. Nodal officers have been asked to visit these spots and file reports on corrective measures, both temporary and long-term, that are needed to prevent the city from choking if there’s a heavy spell of rain.
The administration had identified an almost similar number of waterlogging points in the city before the monsoon in 2022, so little has changed in a year. Earlier this week, morning showers flooded the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway’s service lanes, especially at Narsinghpur, as well as various other arterial roads, choking traffic for several hours and giving administrators a wake-up call.
Nodal officers were appointed last year too, and each officer was assigned a few waterlogging-prone points. Deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav on Friday said the nodal officers are IAS and HCS officers. “Flood-prone spots have been identified on the basis of reports of waterlogging in the past few seasons. Each officer will be responsible for around five spots and will be assisted by a team of MCG and GMDA officials,” Yadav said.
The teams have been directed to check that water pumps are operational and operators on 24 hours duty, as well as ensure adequate availability of diesel for the machines.
“The nodal officers will visit the spots assigned to them and submit a report which will also highlight the work done at these points for draining water,” said Yadav, adding that efforts are being to ensure no waterlogging is reported, but in case some points witness waterlogging, they will ensure the water is swiftly drained out.
The nodal officers will be alerted in advance about the weather conditions and possible rain, and will plan work accordingly, officials said.
The district administration has also enlisted RWAs and civil defence volunteers for aid in its flood-check efforts. Civil defence volunteers will help traffic police in maintaining smooth traffic flow at congested points and also help remove excess water from a flooded spot.
RWAs, meanwhile, will assist the authorities in ensuring there is no waterlogging in their colonies and nearby areas and also advise residents not to step out in case of heavy rainfall or flooding.