First showers inundate Jamshedpur

JAMSHEDPUR: Though the city is experiencing bountiful rain this season after almost two years of scant showers, the deep depression over Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh has brought to the surface the decades-old problem of waterlogging in low-lying areas once again.
Low-lying areas on the outskirts of the city have been inundated with rainwater after 40 hours of moderate to heavy showers.Areas like Mango, Jugsalai, Baghbera, Sonari, Kadma and Pardih have been the worst hit. Many parts of Mango and Jugsalai are under knee-deep water. Most of the roads are dotted with stalled vehicles, adding to the chaos. In some low-lying areas, several autorickshaws have been reported stranded in water.
According to the local Met office, the city has registered more than 54 mm of rain so far and is expected to receive more late in the evening. "The weather condition will remain the same in the evening and probably the city will receive more rain," said a Met department official.
All the three notified areas of the city JNAC, MNAC and Jugsalai municipality have pressed on their health personnel to pump out rainwater from low-lying areas in the respective zones.
Given the weather conditions, however, it seemed that the notified committee officials might possibly need to seek help of private agencies in their effort to drain out water and prevent slum areas from turning into breeding grounds for potential waterborne diseases.
"Health personnel have been put on duty and asked to take every possible measure to remove the clogged water and sprinkle bleaching powder to prevent the area from turning into breeding ground for waterborne diseases," said Yashpal Singh, special officer, Jugsalai municipality.
Residents in the affected areas have little patience with this talk, however, and are raising questions on the preparedness of the district administration ahead of the monsoon. "If some areas get flooded with just the initial spell of rain what will happen when the monsoon actually gain more power?" said 43-year-old kerosene dealer, Tarkeshwar Sahoo, resident of Baroda Ghat, Jugsalai.