Jaipur hit by heavy rains

Jaipur, Aug 9: Heavy rainfall here threw normal life out of gear here as flooded roads disrupted traffic and schools in the city were closed.

Several parts of the city were waterlogged and people have been shifted to safer places from slums and low lying areas following steady downpour since last night.

"We are shifting people from some slum areas to safe places as precautionary measure. There are reports of two house collapses though no one has been injured. Waterlogging is at several places," District Collector Krishna Kunal said. He said accumulated water was being pumped out by 18 mud pumps in low lying areas and sandbags were sent to areas like Madrampura, Girdharipur, Jawahar Nagar kachhi basti, Bhatta Basti, Sarna dungar and others.

"JCB machines have also been pressed into service for relief work at one location. Teams of the district administration are working with municipal corporation and civil defence in a proper coordination so that relief wherever needed could be provided timely," he said.

Many roads witnessed waterlogging with commuters facing a tough time in areas like Railway station, Trimuti circle, JLN Marg, Sehkar marg, Khasakothi, Malvia nagar underpass, Jhotwara, Sikar road, Tonk Road, walled city and others. "We are making all arrangements in view of possibility of heavy rainfall in next 24 hours," he added.

K L Meena, Disaster Management and Relief Secretary- Government of Rajasthan, said that two helicopters have been earmarked by the defence forces for relief works if needed.

"One helicopter is at Phalodi air base in Jodhpur and the other is in Military station in Jaipur and would be used for relief and rescue if required anywhere in the state," he said. The collector informed that Jaipur recorded 128 mm rainfall till this morning and there was a forecast of heavy rain in the next 24 hours.

PTI