Sanjay Kumar Singh

Patna, May 26: Rain relief on Thursday was short-lived, barely 30 minutes, but the suffering that followed was prolonged, as several roads across the state capital remained flooded till late evening.

The downpour once again highlighted the poor drainage system in the city.

Several areas, including Machhua Toli, Lohanipur, Kadamkuan, Dariyapur, Kankerbagh, Rajdendra Nagar, Boring Canal Road, Chitkohra, Phulwari, and Bakerganj areas, were waterlogged.

Rainfall as little as 10mm rainfall shattered the claims of an improved drainage system and a better preparedness for the monsoon by the district officials.

Every year, during the monsoon, waterlogging becomes a major menace. Often more than two feet of rainwater gets accumulated, making it impossible for the residents to leave their homes.

Today, dozens of vehicles, including two and four-wheelers, were seen stranded in the middle of the roads. The manholes, supposed to drain out rainwater, were overflowing instead, making things more complicated.

Prakash Kumar, whose bike got struck at Chitkohra, said: “This is pre-monsoon shower and waterlogging has just started. If this situation is now, god knows what will happen when monsoon arrives.”

District magistrate (DM) Sanjay Kumar, however, claimed that Patna is ready for the monsoon. “Patna will combat waterlogging. All precautionary measures have been taken. The drainage system is being improved. We are supporting Patna Municipal Corporation in making all the possible arrangements during the monsoon.”

Asked about the measures being taken to combat water logging, the DM said: “Residents of waterlogging-prone localities like Kankerbagh and Rajendra Nagar would not face problems this year. We have directed the officials to keep high-power diesel pumps handy so that they can pump out excess water in case any locality faces waterlogging.”