Heavy Rain Exposes Civic Negligence in Almora’s Pandekhola Area

Almora: Continuous rainfall has exposed alleged negligence by the Municipal Corporation in Pandekhola, where clogged municipal drains and a blocked culvert on the National Highway caused rainwater and debris to flow directly into residential premises. Several houses witnessed mud and debris entering courtyards and even rooftops, causing damage and panic among residents.
Locals alleged that despite repeated complaints, the Municipal Corporation failed to clean the blocked drains before the monsoon. Following the incident, the Disaster Management Department and the National Highway team inspected the site, but residents claimed that no Municipal Corporation team arrived to assess the situation.
Ward Councillor Jyoti Sah criticized the civic body’s inaction, stating that residents were forced to collect money themselves and hire labourers to clear the accumulated debris. She said timely cleaning of drains and proper maintenance of the drainage system could have prevented the incident.
The councillor also pointed out that the District Magistrate had already instructed all concerned departments to remain alert in disaster-prone areas during the monsoon, but the Municipal Corporation failed to comply with those directions. She demanded immediate cleaning of blocked drains, restoration of the drainage system, regular monitoring of vulnerable areas, and relief assistance for affected families.
Residents said similar problems occur every monsoon, yet no permanent solution has been implemented. Growing public anger over waterlogging, blocked drains, and civic negligence has once again raised serious questions about the Municipal Corporation’s monsoon preparedness.