In heavy rain, HTET candidates in Rohtak struggle to reach centres

Intermittent heavy rain since Wednesday night not only led to waterlogging of major roads and low-lying areas in Rohtak city but also caused significant inconvenience to candidates appearing for the Haryana Teacher Eligibility Test (HTET).

Candidates whose examination centres were located in flood-prone zones were the worst affected. Many had to wade through stagnant water to reach their centres on time. One such situation unfolded outside Baba Mastnath Senior Secondary School, situated near Chhotu Ram Chowk—a low-lying area where water accumulation during rains is a common occurrence.

“The road outside Baba Mastnath School was completely waterlogged when we reached around 8 am. The main gate was kept closed, which added to the candidates’ difficulties. My shoes got soaked as I had no choice but to walk through the water,” said Sangeeta, an HTET candidate.

She further shared that a pregnant woman appearing for the exam fell into an open sewer, as the waterlogging had covered the hole from view. Due to the flooding, every vehicle attempted to stop right outside the entry gate so that the candidates could avoid wading through the water—leading to a traffic jam-like situation at the exam centre.

According to the official data, Rohtak recorded 65 mm of rainfall by 8 am, with intermittent showers continuing throughout the day. In nearby areas, Meham received 73 mm, Sampla 10 mm, Kalanaur 61 mm, and Lakhanmajra 15 mm. The persistent rain kept municipal officials under pressure, as they struggled to manage drainage and prevent further disruptions.

In addition to Chhotu Ram Chowk, several other areas in Rohtak, including Gau Karan Dera Road, Subhash Road, Radio Station Chowk, and Delhi Road, were also severely affected by waterlogging. Vehicles broke down on the Radio Station Chowk and Gau Karan Dera Road, which are frequently used by the residents.

Kanwaljit, a resident, said that Gau Karan Road was already flooded when he visited the area for some urgent work in the morning. “This area is water-prone and gets flooded even when there is moderate rain,” he added.

Meanwhile, the municipal corporation (MC) authorities claimed that its officers were out in the field working to remove water from the roads and key locations across the city as all pumps were working. “Water was also drained from the Chhotu Ram Chowk area in the morning,” said an official.