Frustration mounts in Naribal, Soura as chronic drainage woes persist

Srinagar, June 30: Residents of Naribal in Srinagar’s Soura area are once again reeling from the consequences of a dysfunctional drainage system, after just ten minutes of pre-dawn rainfall inundated the locality, forcing families to flee their homes.The flash flooding, triggered by what locals described as a brief but intense downpour, left several homes waterlogged—damaging electrical appliances and seeping into kitchens, bedrooms and living areas. In one instance, residents said they were forced to carry a bedridden family member upstairs as the water level rose dangerously.“It was barely half an hour after dawn when we realised water was seeping into our homes,” said Muzammil Ahmad, a resident. “Almost all rooms on the ground floor were flooded. We had no choice but to grab essentials and move upstairs.”For Imad Wani, the experience was particularly traumatic. “My mother is bedridden with a heart condition. I had to carry her upstairs while the water kept rising. We were terrified.”Local residents say the problem lies in a defunct drainage system that has been neglected for over three decades. “We’ve raised this issue repeatedly with successive governments, but no action has been taken,” said Altaf Ahmad. “Every time it rains, we face the same nightmare.”The situation, they argue, exposes the gap between the administration’s developmental rhetoric and the realities on the ground. “They talk about Smart City projects, but what about fixing the basics?” questioned Rashid Lone. “How can we trust grand visions when the drainage system of our mohalla is broken and ignored?” said visibly angry, Maqbool Bhat, another resident. “This wasn’t even a proper rainfall, just a drizzle. Imagine what will happen during heavy rains. This problem existed under PDP, NC and now too—nobody has fixed it.” In contrast, a senior official of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed the drainage network in Naribal is technically functional. The real issue, he said, is the improper disposal of waste by residents.“Despite regular door-to-door garbage collection, some people continue to dump solid waste into open drains, blocking them. This is what leads to waterlogging during rains,” the official said. “We urge residents to stop this harmful practice. The system can only work if it isn’t clogged with garbage.” However, locals are unconvinced. They argue that blaming the public deflects from years of administrative failure. “This is just passing the buck,” said a resident. “Even if some people are irresponsible, why hasn’t the drainage been redesigned or repaired in 30 years?”While officials assure the residents that the drainage system will be cleaned immediately, addressing the flooding problem requires a collective effort. “Both authorities and the local community must come together to find a lasting solution. Only through shared responsibility can Naribal hope to prevent further damage and create a cleaner, safer environment for everyone,” an official said, wishing not to be named.