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[PHOTOS] Relief and concern | Heavy showers in Udaipur over the weekend submerges city roads

Whilst the city heaved a sigh of relief at one end with the heavy downpapers draping Udaipur in beautiful cloudy greens, there was a major concern as the smart city works have made city areas worse than earlier. Accumulation of water and poor drainage have leaked the efficiency of the smart city project, while key stakeholders harp on higher ranking given last week...
 
The Madar channel flowed into Fatehsagar with the Thur Paal overflowing and Sisarma at its thunderous best promises filled lakes soon...

It has been the norm for the last few years and this year was no different - August brings in the mercy of the monsoon. With monsoon showers coming in bits and pieces over the last 30 days, the weekend of 22-23 August witnessed the heaviest rain of the season in Udaipur and in most parts of Rajasthan.

Rains bring relief

Though it rained all of the weekend, Sunday afternoon, i.e. 23 August witnessed 104mm of rainfall in Udaipur across the evening. The last 36 hours recording 193mm of rainfall in the city of lakes.

West side view of Pratap Smarak engulfed in clouds
Bagheri ka Naka overflows
Clouds engulf the Monsoon Palace under Lockdown - UT Photo

Thur paal overflowed in half a day’s rainfall and the Madar channel, which brings water to Fatehsagar from the northern end, was also flowing. Sisarma was at its seasonal best and Mahi Dam also overflowed subsequent to yesterday evenings heavy showers.

Madar ki Nahar flows into Fatehsagar lake as the Thur paal overflows
Mahi Dam at Banswara over flows - All 16 gates were opened on Sunday

Sunday lockdown becomes ineffective

Residents in the area were seen around the lake side and police had a difficult time in controlling the people from witnessing the first flow of the season in to Fatehsagar.

People at Fatehsagar lake (Dewali side) inspite of the lockdown - being dispersed
Fatehsagar lake (Dewali end) inspite of lockdown - people being dispersed
Police jumping into action as crowd defies lockdown at Fatehsagar - UT Photo

It seems that the lockdown imposed on Sunday by the district administration was only for shops, restaurants and businesses. Residents on their two wheelers and four wheelers were seen freely moving around the city.

Sunday lockdown defied - no control over movement of people - - UT Photo
Sunday lockdown defied - no control over movement of people - UT Photo

Drainage disaster is what the Smart City project has brought about

Whilst the weather turned from humid to pristine, some of the city’s by-lanes and mohallas were submerged in upto 4ft of water.  The new roads and sewerage work done through the smart city cycle resulted in water clogging in the city. Water entered houses and residents were seen scrambling about with their belongings as entire homes were filled with water. Water entered shops in Bapu Bazar causing extensive damage.

Delhi Gate chauraha submerged
Water enters shop in Bapu Bazar

As per information provided by Nitesh Doshi and Nitin Chordiya, residents of Bhatt ji ki baadi (near GBH American hospital), the roads were under 3ft water and as water entered the houses in the plains, residents struggled with upto 2ft of water in their homes.

Cars submerged in water - Bhatt ji ki Badi, near GBH American hospital
Streets clogged with water - no drainage

What needs to be seen is how long the city needs to wait before the lakes are full like they were previous year. With COVID and lockdown enveloping the city in a cloud of dismay, it is these monsoon clouds which will bring the much needed cheer for those who know Udaipur the way it is. Here are a few pictures of Fatehsagar paal as it takes in this years monsoon.

Pristine gardens at Fatehsagar - UT Photo
Moti Magri against the clouds - UT Photo
Fatehsagar Paal - UT Photo
Clouds on the horizon - UT Photo
Standing alone - UT Photo