Varanasi: As heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed the city over the past two days, causing widespread waterlogging and disrupting traffic movement, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation launched an intensive operation to restore normalcy.Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal personally took charge of the situation on the ground after the rain subsided. According to the civic body, water was drained from most of the affected areas within one to one-and-a-half hours, while traffic movement was restored on several key routes.The heavy rain and strong winds also resulted in trees falling on 11 major roads, blocking vehicular movement. Municipal teams removed fallen trees from Sundarpur, Susuwahi, near the parliamentary office, near Adampur police outpost, Adampur ward, two locations near Laxmi Mandir in Ashok Vihar Colony, and three locations between Ashapur and Haveliya crossing. The work of removing the fallen trees, lifting the wood and clearing the roads was carried out on a war footing.Mayor Tiwari inspected several areas, including Ravindrapuri, along with officials of the Jal Kal department and supervised drainage operations on the spot. Jal Kal general manager Anoop Singh, executive engineer Agam Katiyar and other senior officials remained present during the operation.Municipal commissioner Nagpal also conducted a detailed inspection of several of the worst-affected areas, including Kachahri, Tehsil Sadar, Gilat Bazaar, Nadesar, Andhrapul, Sigra, Rathyatra, Gurubagh, Bhelupur, Broadway Hotel, Ravindrapuri and BHU Gate area. At several locations, he personally supervised the cleaning of gully pits and drains and the removal of garbage and silt to ensure the quick discharge of rainwater.The municipal commissioner directed officials to immediately address complaints related to waterlogging received through phone calls or other channels. He instructed officials to visit the affected areas, identify the root cause of water accumulation and ensure prompt drainage.
