Patna, Aug. 9: The incessant downpour washed away the tall claims of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) regarding its preparation for the monsoon. Residents suffered as many places in the city went under water after the overnight shower.

Kankerbagh, infamous for severe waterlogging, was the worst hit today. Water gushed into a few houses.

The PMC executive officer for the circle, Anil Kumar, said the civic body could assess the situation only after the rain stops. “It has been raining almost without a break since late last night. Therefore, we have not been able to assess the situation yet. As and when the rain stops, we will visit the areas and decide our course of action,” Kumar said.

He also claimed that it usually takes about two hours for water on roads to drain out after the rain stops.

“Our sump pumps are capable enough to clear the water from the area in a short duration provided it stops pouring. There might be some problem in the low-lying areas but we have sufficient number of pumping sets to clear standing water,” Kumar added.

A sump pump is usually used to remove water accumulated in sump pits, commonly found in the basement of homes. basement waterproofing

Kumar said the Kankerbagh circle had about 20 pump sets to deal with the problem of acute waterlogging.

The situation was no better in Kadamkuan and Hathua market, under the Bankipore circle. The residents and commuters in the area were left to fend for themselves, as PMC did not bother to make any arrangement to flush out water quickly. The civic body office was also flooded with waterlogging complaints from the Patna City area.

Officials in the New Capital circle said the situation was not too bad there. Vehicles had to wade through waterlogged roads, though.

“Except SP Verma Road and Railway Station roundabout, there is no problem anywhere in the areas falling under our jurisdiction. We do not even require pumping sets to clear the excess water. It will be fine within few hours following a break from the incessant rain,” said Sheshank Shekhar Sinha, executive officer, New Capital circle.

He, however, admitted that waterlogging could be reported from several interior areas and colonies. “If the need arises, we will use pump sets and labourers to clear water from those areas,” he said.

Sinha said the waterlogging in Gandhi Maidan was a major cause of concern, as preparations are on for Independence Day in the green zone. “We have deployed seven pump sets in the field to clear the water. We will use more pumps in coming days,” he said.