Just 34.8mm rainfall on Tuesday was all that it took to expose the city civic body's poor preparedness for the monsoon, the onset of which is less than a month away.

Several streets were waterlogged with motorists and pedestrians facing a tough time commuting through places like Kurji, Patliputra, Gardanibagh and Samanpura.

Patna, which has a saucer-shaped topography, might have to face a harrowing experience if civic authorities are unable to take preventive measures on time. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above normal rainfall this monsoon. The IMD also predicts that the monsoon, which usually begins in Bihar around June 10, won't be delayed this year.

"The inefficiency of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) to address waterlogging problems in Patna wasn't evident during the past couple of years because of deficient rainfall," said R.S. Chaudhary, former chief town planner, urban development and housing department. "However, there is a possibility of heavy rainfall this time. If the civic body doesn't expedite its monsoon preparedness works, residents should prepare to face flooded streets."

The civic body started monsoon preparedness work comparatively early this year - in March second week - but it slowed down by mid-April. Even ward councillors lambasted the sluggish progress in drain cleaning.

"The teams formed for de-silting drains are not doing their work properly and there is hardly any monitoring," said former deputy mayor Vinay Kumar. "We have already complained to the mayor and the municipal commissioner, but there is no improvement."

Arvindar Singh, the manager of a gymnasium on Ashiana-Digha road, said: "Last night, I had to walk in knee-deep water while returning home. It seems a strange city where many streets lack drains. I wonder what will happen in the monsoon."

Mayor Afzal Imam assured of timely clearing of rainwater from the streets.

"We are monitoring the waterlogging scenario following the showers last night," he said. "As far as monsoon preparedness works are concerned, we will take extra measures, such as pumping out water using motors, to tackle the problem."

Drainage cleaning works are scheduled to commence by February 15 every year but they usually start in April-May. Last year too, the work started in May first week.

The PMC doesn't have estimates regarding its capacity to drain out rainwater from streets, nor is there a stormwater drainage network.

The PMC, in its budget for the ongoing fiscal (2016-17) has allocated Rs 22 crore as funds to repair and maintain the sewerage-cum-drainage network. Besides, Rs 1 crore has been provided to each ward for development and civic works.

Heat break

Tuesday's nor'wester showers brought respite from the heat for Patna and many other parts of central and northern Bihar.

Met officials have predicted similar isolated showers over the next three days. The rains are, however, expected to be confined to the northern parts of the state. Places like Patna in central Bihar are likely to witness only scattered showers.

Weathermen attributed the prevailing spell of nor'wester thundershowers to a western disturbance over Nepal, its induced cyclonic circulation over central India and moisture-feeding from the Bay of Bengal.

"Isolated thundershowers are expected primarily in north Bihar and central parts of the state will get scattered rains till May 14," said senior meteorologist at Patna meteorological centre R.K. Giri.

Tuesday's was the third nor'wester in Bihar this summer. The local met office has ruled out the return of heatwave conditions soon.

"The temperature is expected to remain normal or below normal in most of the state during the next fortnight because of the rains and moisture incursion," said Giri. "A heatwave condition is unlikely till May 22."

A meteorologist said the monsoon was approaching at its normal pace this year and rain clouds will enter Kerala around May 27. The eastern wing of the southwest monsoon enters Bihar via the Bay of Bengal around June 10.

Weathermen said frequent nor'wester thundershowers might hinder monsoon in the state. "Though people are normally troubled by the heat and feel relieved when a nor'wester thundershower hits them, the fact remains that high temperature and dry air attracts monsoon currents to a place," said Giri. "Frequent thundershowers immediately before onset of monsoon may prove to be a bane in the form of a late monsoon."

After the rains on Tuesday, the clear skies led to sultry weather on Wednesday.