Gurugram flags 159 waterlogging hotspots ahead of monsoon; Haryana pushes ‘zero flood’ plan

As many as 159 locations in Gurugram have been identified as waterlogging hotspots ahead of the monsoon, prompting the Haryana government to roll out an aggressive “zero-flood” preparedness plan to avoid a repeat of last year’s chaos.

During a high-level review, Urban Local Bodies Minister Vipul Goel directed civic agencies to adopt zero tolerance to flooding, with a strong focus on data-driven interventions and real-time monitoring.

Hotspots mapped by severity

Officials said the 159 vulnerable points have been categorised to prioritise response:

Extremely critical: 4 locations

Critical: 39 locations

Moderate: 56 locations

Low-risk: 60 locations

The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has been tasked with desilting its 607-km drainage network, of which 408.59 km has already been cleared. Authorities have set the May 31 deadline for its completion.

Lessons from 2025 flooding

The urgency stems from the July 2025 deluge, when Gurugram recorded 133 mm rainfall in just 12 hours, submerging key stretches like Golf Course Road and NH-48. Several sectors witnessed waist-deep water, crippling traffic and disrupting power supply, exposing severe gaps in urban infrastructure.

Officials noted that the above-normal rainfall—33% higher than the average in 2025—had overwhelmed the city’s drainage capacity, forcing a complete rethink of flood management strategy this year.

Tech push and on-ground deployment

To strengthen preparedness, the city is deploying:

109 dewatering pumps

63 suction tankers

Focus has also shifted to rainwater harvesting systems, with 468 structures identified, of which:

309 are functional

159 are under urgent repair

Authorities believe restoring these systems will help reduce surface runoff and improve groundwater recharge during heavy rains.

Regional coordination plan

The review also covered neighbouring urban centres to ensure coordinated flood control:

Faridabad: Cleaning of 157 drains (196 km) under way; over 40 sensitive points flagged

Manesar: Cleaning of 23 major drains (54.56 km) and revival of 42 rainwater harvesting units

Strict directives issued

The minister stressed that inter-departmental coordination is non-negotiable, directing officials to:

Clear debris along Gurugram-Faridabad Road

Intensify the stray cattle removal drive to prevent traffic disruption during rains

With the monsoon approaching, officials say the success of the plan will hinge on timely execution and real-time response, as Gurugram attempts to move closer to its ambitious “zero waterlogging” goal this year.