PANAJI
Incessant rains may have pounded large parts of the State on Tuesday but the capital Panaji, which has come under intense scrutiny over its perennial flooding issues in the aftermath of the 'smart city' work carried out here, had some respite with a dry spell on Tuesday afternoon and evening.
However, the pounding rain since Sunday did expose the vulnerabilities of the city's infrastructure in dealing with such spells of intense downpour with large parts of the internal road network, especially 18th June Road and the area around the KTC bus-stand water-logged and rendered virtually non-motorable.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), meanwhile has retained its 'Red Alert' warning for the State and predicted further heavy rainfall, possibly making Wednesday yet another day of disruptions in the capital city due to flooded roads.
The stretch of the 18th June Road in the main city centre and the KTC bus-stand area continue to be the most affected. These two areas were flooded for most part of the day on Sunday and Monday. Some areas of Mala were also badly affected.
Meanwhile, civic authorities came in for some sharp criticism and badmouthing by residents, especially senior citizens who said the officials lack to will and intent to set things right in the capital.
“Every year it is the same story. With so many engineers and planners employed with the government, why can't they come up with a permanent solution to this flooding problem?" a senior citizen from the St Inez area asked.
Meanwhile, CCP councillors with teams of labourers were seen policing areas of their respective wards in a bid to minimise the damage and clear up drains which may have got choked with garbage and debris.
