Heavy Rain Exposes Drainage Problems Across Sri Vijaya Puram

A spell of heavy rainfall on Monday led to widespread waterlogging across several parts of Sri Vijaya Puram, disrupting normal life and once again drawing attention to concerns over the city's drainage infrastructure. Although the rainfall was not considered exceptional by Andaman standards, several roads and public spaces were submerged due to poor drainage.

The Dweep Tulika team visited multiple affected locations, including the area in front of Hindi Sahitya Kala Parishad in Aberdeen Bazar, the premises of Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM) and the Government Girls' Senior Secondary School campus. At all three locations, stagnant rainwater covered roads, footpaths and public areas, making movement difficult for pedestrians and motorists alike.

The waterlogging resulted in traffic congestion across several stretches of the city. Students, office-goers, shopkeepers and daily commuters faced considerable inconvenience, with many pedestrians forced to walk through knee-deep water to reach their destinations.

During the visit, several residents expressed concern over the recurring problem of waterlogging after rainfall. While many acknowledged the inconvenience caused by inadequate drainage, most preferred not to speak on record or have their views published.

Residents pointed out that the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have historically experienced much heavier rainfall than that witnessed on Monday. They questioned whether the existing drainage network is being adequately maintained and whether it remains capable of handling even moderate rainfall.

The incident has once again highlighted the importance of regular desilting, maintenance and timely improvement of urban drainage systems. Residents said that strengthening drainage infrastructure would not only reduce waterlogging but also minimise traffic disruption and improve public safety during the monsoon season.