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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.