Surat is struggling with severe flooding for the second consecutive day. The city’s drainage issues have left many residents in distress. Despite spending ₹40 crores on dredging the drainage system, the situation remains dire. Heavy rains have overwhelmed the city, causing widespread waterlogging.
Last year, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) launched the largest urban forest in South Asia near the drainage area. They aimed to convert the land on both sides of the drain into a biodiversity park known as Wild Valley, which is considered the city’s ‘green lungs.’ This project was designed to store rainwater during the monsoon, allowing for its reuse in gardening.
The park is supposed to help reduce pollution in the drain using phytoremediation techniques. One of the main goals of the project is to eliminate the foul smell from the drain and decrease water pollution. Rainwater collected in the park would be used to fill ponds and for other useful purposes.
However, the situation has worsened as heavy rains inundated the recently inaugurated biodiversity park, costing ₹150 crores. Walking tracks, children’s parks, and various plants within the park are now submerged in water. This failure in planning by the Surat Municipal Corporation has left many residents frustrated.
The city experienced intense rainfall over the last two days, leading to overflowing drains. Streets were flooded, and transportation was severely affected. Areas like Punagam and Parvat have been particularly hard-hit, with knee-deep water making daily activities challenging. The municipal negligence has led to significant waterlogging across the city.
Main roads are submerged, sparking anger among residents. The road from Parvat to Dindoli has been closed due to flooding, halting traffic in both directions. Even petrol stations have been affected, with water accumulating inside.
Surat received 13.6 inches of rain in the last 24 hours, while Kamrej saw 10.6 inches and Palsana 8.1 inches. Bardoli recorded 6.5 inches, and 33 talukas received 2 inches or more. The weather department has predicted heavy rainfall for the next seven days, with yellow alerts issued for Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, and Kheda. Heavy rains are also expected in Anand, Panchmahal, Dahod, Vadodara, and Bharuch, while areas in Saurashtra-Kutch are under yellow alerts as well.
Residents are calling for immediate action from the authorities to address the flooding issues. Many are concerned about the damage to infrastructure and property caused by the relentless rains. The situation highlights the urgent need for better urban planning and maintenance of the drainage system to prevent future flooding. With the monsoon season continuing, the people of Surat are hoping for effective solutions and relief from these ongoing challenges.
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