Heavy overnight rain that lashed the city left many places in Madurai inundated. The public found it difficult to travel along the waterlogged roads.
Madurai experienced heavy downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning in the early hours of Thursday. Many parts of the city were inundated, including Arapalayam, Simmakal, Anna Nagar, Goripalayam, Mattuthavani, Anaiyur, Valluvar Colony, Anuppanadi, Kamarajar Road, Villapuram, Bypass Road, Kalavasal, Thathaneri, and Iyer Bungalow.
Passengers found it difficult to reach the railway junction bus stop as it was inundated with rainwater a on Thursday. | Photo Credit: ASHOK R
At daybreak, the public, particularly officer goers and students found it difficult to travel along the roads. Vehicular movement came to a grinding halt. With underpasses in the city inundated, people had to use alternative routes to reach their destination.
At Madurai Railway Junction and at major bus stands, the passengers had to wade through ankle deep water. Areas in and around the Railway Junction and the Periyar Bus Stand were waterlogged. Passengers with their luggage had a difficult time getting in and coming out of the place. Despite their best efforts, the luggage got soaked in water. The place resembled an overflowing pond.
In places, including Sellur, the heavy downpour had left several homes inundated. The residents said this was due to the lack of proper drainage channels. The residents said they were unable to sleep and had to spend the entire day draining the water that had flooded their homes. They said their belongings were damaged as a result.
The residents urged the authorities concerned to take necessary action so that such incidents of water flooding the homes in the area was prevented in future.
People urged the Madurai Corporation to take immediate measures to pump out the water. They said the authorities had failed to take proper action and this had resulted in water being stagnant in many places. In places like K.K. Nagar, even the main roads leading to residential blocks inside were waterlogged. The residents complained that it was difficult for them to get in and out of their houses and they had to wade precariously without getting their clothes wet.
The residents said it had become a recurring issue. The complaints of the public have fallen on deaf ears, the residents said and slammed the authorities.