A brief yet intense spell of rain on Tuesday evening wreaked havoc across Srinagar, triggering severe waterlogging in several areas and causing major distress for residents. Even a single hour of rainfall flooded lanes, homes, shops, and roads, paralyzing daily life in multiple neighborhoods, including Old City areas like Khanyar, Rajouri Kadal, Nawakadal, Bohri Kadal, and uptown sectors like Bemina, Batamaloo, Soura, and HMT. Residents reported floodwaters entering their ground floors within minutes, forcing families to relocate upstairs. “One hour of rain and we’re drowning,” said Farooq Ahmad from Aqilmir Khanyar. “We need a permanent drainage overhaul—not band-aid solutions,” he added.
Local traders in Lal Chowk and adjacent markets saw water flooding into their shops, stalling business and fueling frustration with authorities. On the VVIP airport route, Humhama–Airport Road was submerged, dismantling commuter viability and embarrassing the city’s infrastructure. Critics argue that investments in “Smart City” projects have overlooked essential urban infrastructure like drainage.
Residents and commuters have expressed their concerns over the recurring issue of waterlogging, attributing it to the city's outdated drainage systems and lack of proper maintenance. They have demanded immediate and long-term solutions to address the problem and prevent future disruptions.
The Srinagar Municipal Corporation has assured that efforts are underway to address the waterlogging issues and improve the city's drainage infrastructure. However, residents remain skeptical and continue to call for more effective measures to ensure the city's preparedness for heavy rainfall in the future.
As the monsoon season continues, the residents of Srinagar hope that the authorities will take prompt and decisive action to mitigate the impact of waterlogging and ensure the smooth functioning of daily life in the city.