Chandigarh
As heavy rains continue to cause severe destruction in North India, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday instructed officials to strengthen drainage systems across the state. During a review meeting with all district Deputy Commissioners, Saini stressed full preparedness to prevent flooding during the monsoon.
He asked officials to gather data on available pump sets and ensure all drains, especially in flood-prone areas like Gurugram, Faridabad, Ambala, and Kurukshetra, are thoroughly cleaned. He also directed checks on the working condition of pump sets under the Public Health Engineering and Irrigation Departments to ensure effective water drainage.
Top state officials, including Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi and Home Secretary Sumita Mishra, attended the meeting. The Chief Minister also emphasized the importance of promptly addressing public complaints related to waterlogging to avoid disruptions.
Earlier, after heavy rains on June 29 and July 1, parts of Ambala and Charkhi Dadri faced serious waterlogging, raising concerns about flood readiness.
Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh has been hit by flash floods and landslides due to relentless rain, claiming 51 lives and leaving 22 missing. Over 700 roads are blocked, and the damage is extensive. Similar issues are reported in Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana.
The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted continued heavy rainfall till the weekend. Experts link these intense weather patterns to climate change, warning of more frequent floods, droughts, and other extreme events.