Massive gridlock in Gurgaon due to flooding of streets forced the traffic in the national capital move at snail’s pace with several areas witnessing snarls in the city which received highest rainfall
Massive gridlock in Gurgaon due to flooding of streets forced the traffic in the national capital move at snail’s pace with several areas witnessing snarls in the city which received highest rainfall in 10 years, making life difficult for motorists.
As many as eight flights were also affected by delays due to heavy rainfall, according to airport officials.
According to Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency, highest rainfall of 144 mm has been recorded in a span of 24 hours during the last 10 years.
Palam Observatory recorded 144 mm of rain in a span of 24 hours from 5.30 pm Friday out of which 80 mm of rains were recorded in a span of mere three hours from 5:30 am to 8.30 am on Saturday.
Prior to this, the record stood at 126 mm of rain on July 28, 2009.
The downpour triggered traffic snarls at various intersections and busy roundabouts including ITO and Dhaula Kuan.
Vehicles moved at a snail’s pace on several roads such as Mahipalpur Chowk, Rangpuri U-turn near Radisson hotel, Vayusenabad, Azad Market Chowk, causing hardship to the commuters.
However, the situation in Gurgaon eased on Saturday with police officials deployed at 14 crucial points in the city, including Hero Honda Chowk, to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
Police commissioner Navdeep Singh Virk said there were no traffic jams in the city but the traffic movement was slow.
“There is no jam but traffic movement is slow. ACP and other officers are present on the spot. All media persons are requested to cooperate so that there is no panic among citizens,” police commissioner Navdeep Singh Virk.
However, traffic jams on account of waterlogging were reported from Sohna Road and other major roads. A 5 km long jam has been reported from Badshahpur Vatika Chowk.
Long tailbacks were witnessed in gridlocked roads in Gurgaon last two days due to severe waterlogging on National Highway-8 after heavy rains lashed Delhi’s satellite city, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and forcing authorities to clamp prohibitory orders near Hero Honda chowk. Schools were also ordered to be shut down for two days.
The jams, which on some roads had stretched for 15 km, eased after prohibitory orders — which bans large gatherings and is usually reserved for troubled areas — was imposed on Friday on a key crossing for several hours.
