After waterlogging furore, Gurugram civic chief transferred; WFH advisory issued for Aug 6-7

The Haryana government on Thursday transferred Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya to Rohtak as Deputy Commissioner, amid mounting criticism over widespread waterlogging following heavy rains. The decision came two days after similar flooding had disrupted life across the city.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city recorded 97 mm of rainfall till Thursday morning. Several key stretches, including the unidirectional underpass near Medanta Hospital and Narsinghpur on National Highway-48, were inundated, causing severe traffic congestion.

In view of the continuing rain and an 'orange alert' for August 6, the Gurugram district administration issued an advisory asking corporate offices and private institutions to allow employees to work from home on August 6 and 7. The advisory urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, stay updated with official advisories, and cooperate with the administration. It cited the possibility of waterlogging and traffic congestion at multiple locations across the district.

Residents took to social media platform X to share images and videos of flooded roads from several parts of the city, including IFFCO Chowk and Sector 69. Vehicles were seen driving through waterlogged streets, and roads in Kadipur, Pataudi, and Sector 10 also witnessed water accumulation. Several buses and trucks reportedly broke down on inundated roads, slowing traffic movement. Police teams later towed away stranded vehicles.

The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) said its teams responded promptly to clear waterlogged stretches in Sector 44, Sector 57, Palam Vihar, and Sectors 45, 46, 50, 32, and 38. The authority shared updates on its official X handle, highlighting ongoing drainage and pumping operations.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Prateek Gahlot defended the administration's preparedness, saying coordinated efforts by Gurugram Police and civic agencies had significantly reduced the impact of the monsoon compared to previous years. He said authorities had identified 146 chronic waterlogging points based on flooding reported over the past one to three years. These locations were shared with the GMDA, MCG, the Public Works Department, and the National Highways Authority of India for preventive measures.

“It was because of the coordination between all departments that we completed the work on time,” Mr. Gahlot said. According to the traffic police, several locations that routinely witnessed severe flooding during previous monsoons experienced much less water accumulation this year, while water at affected spots receded within one to two hours. “That’s why we didn’t see the usual traffic jams,” he added.

The transfer of the MCG commissioner and the fresh advisory highlight the ongoing challenges Gurugram faces in managing monsoon-related infrastructure and public safety. As rain continues, authorities are expected to remain on alert to prevent further disruption.