Prayagraj: After enduring one of the harshest dry spells this summer and repeatedly topping the charts as Uttar Pradesh’s hottest city, Prayagraj witnessed a dramatic weather reversal on Monday, recording the state’s highest rainfall at 81.9 mm—the season’s heaviest downpour so far, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).While the intense spell brought welcome relief from the heat and boosted prospects for the kharif crop, it also exposed civic claims, inundating roads and disrupting traffic. The showers also triggered power outages across several localities.According to the IMD, Prayagraj received 81.9 mm of rainfall during the last 24 hours. The maximum temperature settled at 33.6 degrees Celsius, while the minimum was recorded at 26.6 degrees Celsius, bringing down the mercury after several days of humid conditions.The rain, which continued for nearly three hours across most parts of the city, submerged several major roads and residential colonies. The Niranjan railway underpass was among the worst-affected locations, where knee-deep water accumulated, forcing motorists to either wait for the water level to recede or take long detours. Several two-wheelers stalled while a few four-wheelers also got stranded in the flooded stretch.Heavy waterlogging was reported from Khuldabad, Nakhas Kohna, Station Road, Leader Road, Georgetown, Tagore Town, Kydganj, Dariyabad, Meerapur, Johnstonganj, Muttiganj, Allahapur, LIC Colony, Sobatiyabagh, Mumfordganj, Old Katra, entrance of Prayagraj Junction (city side), besides several low-lying pockets including few police stations too. Traffic crawled on major roads as commuters struggled to negotiate flooded stretches, with long queues witnessed at several key intersections during office hours.The intense showers also damaged recently repaired road stretches, washing away patches of asphalt and exposing potholes. In several places, the muddy shoulders of roads caved in, creating additional hazards for motorists.Power supply was disrupted in several neighbourhoods as rain and gusty winds affected electricity infrastructure. Residents in different parts of the city reported prolonged outages, repeated power tripping and low voltage, adding to the inconvenience caused by the flooding.Even as the downpour disrupted urban life, it proved to be a boon for farmers, who said the rainfall would significantly aid paddy transplantation after the delayed strengthening of the monsoon. Weather officials said monsoon activity has now consolidated over Prayagraj and the region, with more spells of moderate to heavy rain likely over the coming days.
