Heavy rain leaves Gurugram reeling; Ambience mall shut after part of roof collapses

Tribune News Service

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Gurugram, July 18

Yet another monsoon and Gurugram again succumbed to perennial woes of waterlogging and flash floods.

Drowning tall claims of local administration, GMDA, MCG and government over 120 mm rain in Gurugram left city submerged.

While the city became online memfest with people posting mock sale ads of their flats as sea facing or lake view, local authorities failed to rein in the chaos and water was not decanted from many areas even after 12 hours.

What added to woes was power outage of around 12 hours in many societies. The DHBVN employees insisted that the power houses were water logged so they could not rectify the faults.

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After incessant overnight rainfall roads, underpasses, parking houses, lifts were full of water. Three underpasses — Rajiv Chowk, Hero Honda Chowk, and Iffco Chowk — were closed due to rainwater accumulation and the city’s main storm water drain at Badshahpur is running at full capacity.

Sheetla Mata road was submerged in over 3 ft of water and devotees walked in waist high water to get to temple. The video of road went viral within minutes.

A portion of roof collapsed in Ambience mall and it witnessed massive water seepage. The pictures and videos of mall were circulated on social media and residents demanded strict action accusing mall authorities of putting their lives on risk. Rainwater also entered low-lying houses in DLF phases 1 and 3, and Suncity Township.

The heavy waterlogging in basements and lifts imprisoned many society dwellers especially in sector 10 in their homes. Traffic congestions were reported Sohna Road, Mehrauli-Gurugram (MG) Road, Rajiv Chowk, Hero Honda Chowk, CH Bakhtawar Singh Road, Jharsa Chowk, Bakhtawar Chowk.

While the other authorities were left redfaced, Gurugram police emerged as hero without cape. The entire police force lead by Commissioner KK Rao took to roads not just to manage traffic but were seen even repairing or clearing drains. They managed to keep city’s roads moving and provision of essential services.