As monsoon clouds return to Nagpur, so do memories of September 23, 2023—the day the city drowned. Nearly 10,000 homes were flooded, lives upended, and a city brought to its knees by over 145 mm of rain in just 24 hours. But this July, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) claims it’s different. The city, they say, is “prepared.”
Back then, ₹10,000 compensation per home was distributed to affected families, totaling almost ₹10 crore. Today? Not a single rupee promised, despite intense rainfall and around 400 homes reporting temporary flooding just last week.
NMC credits its success to “proactive measures” like desilting, pumping stations, and round-the-clock monitoring. And to be fair, many underpasses, including Uppalwadi and Yashodhara Nagar, did avoid major chaos this time—thanks to quicker drainage and emergency teams.
But here’s the reality check: only 25% of Nagpur’s roads have proper stormwater drains. The rest? Still riddled with vulnerabilities—especially in North and East Nagpur, areas NMC itself has labeled as “high-risk.”
“This isn’t a victory lap,” says a civic activist. “It’s a lucky escape.”
Officials may pat themselves on the back, but questions loom. What happens if another cloudburst hits? Why is a permanent drainage overhaul still “in planning”? And most importantly, why is compensation off the table when hundreds still faced flood-like conditions?
While the water may have receded, frustration among residents hasn’t. NMC’s control room may be running 24×7, but unless long-term fixes arrive, Nagpur will remain one downpour away from disaster.
One year later, the scars of 2023 remain. This time, the city got a breather. But let’s not mistake luck for preparedness.
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