Torrential Rains Paralyze Agra: Man Swept Away in Flooded Drain, City Faces Chaos

Severe Waterlogging and Infrastructure Damage Across Agra

Agra was severely impacted by heavy rainfall on Thursday, receiving 124.4 mm of rain in a 24-hour period. The downpour, which started late at night, led to widespread waterlogging, making roads impassable and disrupting daily life. Several low-lying areas were completely submerged, and even the higher parts of the city experienced water accumulation. The rain also damaged infrastructure, including residential buildings and public amenities, leaving parts of the city crippled.

Public transportation was heavily affected as waterlogged streets made movement difficult. In many areas, vehicles were abandoned due to rising water levels, further complicating the situation. City officials worked around the clock to drain the water, but the sheer volume of rain made immediate recovery challenging. Schools and businesses remained closed, with the local administration issuing advisories urging residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.

Man Missing After Being Swept Away in an Overflowing Drain

The heavy rainfall also claimed a victim when 30-year-old Ravi Kumar Mahaur went missing after being swept away in an overflowing drain. Ravi, a resident of the Mantola area of Agra, was returning home late at night when he accidentally slipped into the flooded Mahavir drain. Despite the relentless efforts of his family and neighbors to locate him, Ravi could not be found.

His wife, Neelam, reported him missing to the police after realizing he hadn’t returned home. Distraught, she recounted, "Ravi was on his way back home when the water was so high that he was swept away. We searched all night, but we couldn't find him." The authorities immediately launched a search operation, but with water levels rising, efforts were hampered.

The local police and rescue teams, equipped with boats and other necessary tools, are combing the areas along the flooded drain, hoping to recover Ravi. The search continues amid fears that the overflow may have carried him further than initially suspected. Ravi’s family remains hopeful, though the uncertainty of the situation has caused distress in the neighborhood.

Collapse of Classrooms in Century-Old School Due to Torrential Rain

In addition to the waterlogging, the torrential rain led to structural damage in several parts of the city. A century-old girls' school building, which has long been a landmark in Agra, suffered significant damage when two of its classrooms collapsed. Fortunately, as the collapse occurred during the night, no students or staff were present, thus avoiding any potential casualties.

However, the damage has raised concerns about the structural integrity of other old buildings in the city, especially those in flood-prone areas. The school's management has requested an immediate inspection of the remaining structure to assess the extent of the damage and prevent further incidents. Local authorities have since cordoned off the building, ensuring that no one enters until it is deemed safe.

Historical Rainfall: Comparing the Deluge to Agra’s 1939 Floods

Long-time residents of Agra are comparing Thursday's deluge to the historic rainfall of September 16, 1939, when the city recorded 286 mm of rain in a single day. According to Senior citizen Umashankar Sharma, who has lived through several monsoon seasons, the intensity of the rain on Thursday was reminiscent of that fateful day. He remarked, “The rain we are seeing now is the worst since 1939. The city has not experienced such a level of disruption in decades.”

In 1939, Agra recorded a total of 609 mm of rain during the entire month of September, a record that still stands today. Though the recent rainfall is far from breaking that record, it has caused widespread disruption and left many wondering how prepared the city is for such weather events in the future.

Meteorological Explanation for the Sudden Downpour

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, the city’s weather experienced a sudden shift, leading to the unexpected heavy rainfall. Just a day before the downpour, Agra had recorded a maximum temperature of 33.9°C and a minimum of 24.4°C, typical of late monsoon season. However, a low-pressure system formed over northern India, causing a concentrated burst of rain over Agra and its surrounding areas.

Meteorologists predict that the heavy rain may continue for the next two days, as the low-pressure system moves slowly across the region. Authorities have issued warnings to residents in flood-prone areas, urging them to move to higher ground if necessary. The city’s drainage system, already overwhelmed, may struggle to cope with further rainfall.

Efforts to Restore Normalcy and Ongoing Search Operations

As Agra grapples with the aftermath of the torrential rains, local authorities are working hard to restore normalcy in the city. Water pumps and other equipment have been deployed to drain the water from the most affected areas, though the extent of the flooding makes this a time-consuming process. The municipal corporation has also set up temporary shelters for those displaced by the flooding.

In the Mantola area, the search for Ravi Kumar Mahaur continues. Rescue teams are hopeful of locating him as they expand the search perimeter. Local residents have also joined the efforts, offering whatever help they can to the authorities. With the rain expected to continue, the urgency to find Ravi and restore normalcy to the city has only increased.

The heavy rain has left Agra in disarray, with both the human toll and infrastructural damage serving as a reminder of the challenges the city faces during the monsoon season.