Jaipur: Continuous rainfall for the last two days threw life out of gear in Jaipur, causing widespread power cuts, waterlogging and traffic disruptions. Several areas, including Tonk Phatak and Barkat Nagar, were without electricity from 4am after transformers and supply lines developed major faults. The supply was restored only after seven hours, leaving residents frustrated.“We had no power from morning. Fans, lights, everything was down, and even the children could not attend online classes. Life came to a standstill,” said Vikas Sharma, a resident of Barkat Nagar. In view of public safety, the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) announced the closure of two major parks, Kishan Bagh near Vidyadhar Nagar and Swarn Jayanti Park, for three days from Aug 24 to 26. Waterlogging was reported in several parts of the Walled City where two-wheelers broke down mid-road, and commuters were forced to push their vehicles through knee-deep water. With the meteorological department forecasting heavy rains in the next 48 hours, district collector and disaster management committee chairman Jitendra Soni declared holidays for all govt, non-govt schools, and Anganwadi centres on Aug 25 and 26. “This effectively means children will get three consecutive days off as Wednesday is already a holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi,” a district official said. Fourty-six disaster management teams have been deployed on the ground. Civil defence volunteers are on high alert and will work round the clock for the next two days. Soni himself inspected rain-hit areas, assessing dilapidated buildings and interacting with residents to understand their concerns.“In view of the possibility of further rain, residents in submerged areas have been asked to remain alert and contact the nearest control room if required,” said another official. The collector instructed officials to strengthen the drainage network, use mud pumps wherever necessary, relocate families from weak and unsafe structures, and place sandbags in vulnerable areas to minimise waterlogging. The administration has directed all agencies, to maintain constant vigil and ensure a swift response in any emergency.
Heavy rains, severe waterlogging bring life to a halt in Jaipur | Jaipur News
