Rain Brings Gurgaon to a Standstill in 30 Minutes; Police Issue Work-From-Home Advisory

Gurgaon: Monsoon rain brought pleasant weather to Gurugram, but shocking images of the devastation have emerged. Following the heavy rains, waterlogging is visible everywhere, severely impacting traffic. People are stuck in traffic jams for hours. Reports of road collapses and traffic chaos have exacerbated the public's suffering.

Did Gurugram police issue advisory?

In view of the possibility of heavy rain, the Gurugram Police have issued a work-from-home advisory for corporate employees. This is to ensure that traffic remains regulated even after heavy rain. 

According to reports, in a police advisory, Gurugram Police said, "We appeal to the corporate sector and private institutions to consider work from home (WFH) for their employees for the next few days. This will significantly reduce unnecessary vehicular movement and help our traffic management teams maintain traffic flow and ensure smooth flow of emergency services."

According to the police, this advisory has been issued to ensure the safety of commuters, reduce unnecessary traffic congestion and help local authorities manage road conditions better. 

What about the devastation?

The rain that began around 2 pm in Gurugram on Tuesday continued until 4 pm. The pictures of the devastation that emerged afterward exposed the administration's claims of preparedness. Continuous rain flooded most roads, affecting traffic movement. The rainy season coincided with school holidays, so school buses and students were among the most affected by the traffic chaos. On the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway (NH-48), a school bus fell into an open drain, but no students were on board. 

What about NH-48?

A large section of the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway (NH-48) caved in, causing significant inconvenience to commuters. This resulted in a kilometer-long traffic jam between Hero Honda Chowk and Kherki Daula toll plaza, leaving commuters stranded for hours. Following this, the Gurugram Police issued a traffic advisory and diverted vehicles on this route. The advisory stated that the diversion was implemented to ensure smooth traffic flow and prioritize the safety of motorists traveling from Delhi to Jaipur.

Meanwhile, reports of a road cave-in on Civil Lines Road also emerged, severely trapping the tyres of two parked vehicles. This stretch was recently excavated for sewerage, and heavy rain has further worsened the road's condition.

In which areas was there traffic jam due to waterlogging?

Areas that witnessed long traffic jams due to waterlogging after heavy rains include Narsinghpur, Basai, Hero Honda Chowk, Golf Course Extension Road, Rajiv Chowk, Vatika Chowk, IFFCO Chowk, Udyog Vihar, Sohna Road, Khandsa Road, Old Delhi Road, Pataudi Road, the road from Millennium City Centre to Hero Honda Chowk, Old Gurugram-Delhi Road, Basai Road, Old Railway Station and New Railway Station Road on the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway.

What did the police say?

Policemen were seen trying to control traffic even in heavy rain. A senior traffic department official said that additional police personnel were deployed in various areas to ensure smooth traffic movement. He said that the Municipal Corporation, Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), and other relevant departments are working together to address waterlogging, road blockages, and repair damaged roads. 

According to an official statement, Gurugram recorded the maximum rainfall of 82 mm on Tuesday. The Kadipur and Harsaru sub-tehsil areas recorded 82 mm of rain, while the Gurugram tehsil area recorded 76 mm of rain. Manesar tehsil recorded 50 mm of rain, Badshahpur sub-tehsil 15 mm of rain, Wazirabad tehsil 49 mm, Pataudi 26 mm, Sohna 26 mm, and Farrukhnagar 27 mm.