New Delhi, July 9: Continuous heavy rainfall has thrown normal life out of gear in Delhi’s Sadar Bazar, with roads, markets and residential lanes submerged under knee-deep water, disrupting businesses, traffic and the daily commute of thousands of residents.
Ground reports from the busy wholesale market showed auto-rickshaws struggling through flooded roads, pedestrians wading through knee-deep water and schoolchildren carrying their shoes in their hands to cross inundated streets after classes.
Several lanes around the market remained waterlogged for hours, with rainwater entering shops and commercial establishments, causing losses to traders and making movement extremely difficult.
Residents and traders alleged that poor drainage and inadequate desilting of drains before the monsoon had worsened the situation.
One local resident claimed that waterlogging has become an annual problem in the area.
“Every year we face flooding. Even a short spell of rain is enough to flood the market,” he said.
The situation was equally grim for motorists. Long traffic snarls were reported as vehicles moved slowly through submerged roads, while many commuters complained that even after nearly an hour they were unable to cross the affected stretch.
Shopkeepers said rainwater had entered their establishments, damaging goods and disrupting business activities.
One trader expressed frustration over recurring flooding.
“Our shops are flooded and our merchandise is getting damaged. We suffer losses every year, but no permanent solution has been provided,” he said.
Another trader alleged that drains had not been cleaned properly before the monsoon and claimed that local traders often have to remove accumulated garbage themselves to allow water to flow.
Several stretches of the market also became hazardous as submerged potholes and broken road surfaces were no longer visible beneath the accumulated water, increasing the risk of accidents for motorists and pedestrians.
The heavy rainfall has once again raised questions over the effectiveness of the city’s pre-monsoon preparedness, including drain desilting, road repairs and waterlogging mitigation measures.
Residents pointed out that despite repeated assurances from civic agencies and the government that monsoon preparations had been completed, widespread flooding returned after sustained rainfall.
Earlier, Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma had stated that extensive measures had been undertaken to minimise waterlogging during this year’s monsoon. However, the conditions witnessed in Sadar Bazar have once again brought civic preparedness under public scrutiny.
The flooding also affected schoolchildren, many of whom were seen navigating flooded streets either barefoot or with the help of parents after school hours.
With more rainfall forecast over the coming days, traders and residents have urged the authorities to undertake comprehensive drain cleaning, improve stormwater drainage infrastructure and implement long-term measures to prevent recurring flooding in one of Delhi’s busiest commercial markets.
