Many Shillongites
must have been
praying to God with the same prayers on the day when few hours of rain exposed the poor drainage system of the city.
It was evident on Saturday that the 2.2 millimeter of rain landed many people into trouble as the rain water flowed right to the shops and homes of many who were not prepared to take precautionary measures against the sudden onslaught of rain.
Many of the drains in Lower Lachumiere and other areas were over flowing beyond its capacity and the rain water even went on to the main road much to the agony of people.
A restaurant in Lower Lachumiere had to bear the brunt of the sudden rain as the rain water made its way inside the restaurant and staffs of the hotel were seen wiping the watery mess.
“This is so pathetic to see that the drainage system of Shillong is at its worst,” observed a citizen who was in Lower Lachumiere.
Though, the Government has been making claims of various schemes to improve the drainage system of the city, yet the schemes have not been able to cover the entire city and some completed works with regards to drainage is evident in some areas of the city like Keating Road and others.
When contacted, MUDA secretary and chief Electoral Office of Shillong Municipal Board, T Lyngwa blamed the people for the lack of civic sense.
“People have to be blamed as they often throw all kinds of garbage and plastics in the drain and this is due to lack of civic sense,” he said.
According to Lyngwa, chocking of one drain leads to another and this ends up at the roads being overflowed by water.
He also said that the men of the Shillong Municipal Board often clean up the drain but people’s cooperation is must to ensure that the drains are kept free for smooth flowing of rain water. (By Aafaque Hussain)
