Gridlock in Gurugram: Commuters Stranded for Hours Due to Rain
DELHI — Chaos ensued in one of India’s most affluent suburbs as thousands of commuters found themselves trapped in their vehicles for six to eight hours, all thanks to a rain-induced traffic nightmare on Monday.
The situation has ignited a firestorm of criticism online, with many questioning how Gurugram, renowned for its cutting-edge skyscrapers and expansive corporate complexes, could have such abysmal infrastructure.
Disaster management authorities in this Delhi-adjacent suburb have urged businesses, schools, and colleges to opt for remote work on Tuesday in anticipation of further rainfall.
The relentless downpours have wreaked havoc across various regions in India this year, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives due to floods and landslides.
Social media became a platform for venting frustrations over Gurugram’s “nightmarish” traffic, with reports of a traffic jam stretching more than 10km (6.2 miles) on a major roadway.
A viral video captured the never-ending line of vehicles congesting at least a dozen lanes on a crucial highway.
“Gurugram is underwater. You shell out a fortune in rent only to encounter this upon returning home,” one user lamented on X.
Some users resorted to humor, debating whether they should just camp out in their offices, while others joked that walking might be a quicker mode of transport.
Part of Haryana state, Gurugram falls under the governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Residents left exasperated by the lack of infrastructure improvements in the city, home to the regional headquarters of tech giants like Google, Meta, American Express, and Samsung, raised poignant questions.
Meanwhile, weather warnings have been issued for Delhi and neighboring cities as well.
The swelling Yamuna river has breached the danger mark in recent days, inundating low-lying areas and prompting authorities to advise residents to relocate to safer zones.
The closure of the Old Railway Bridge, which links both banks of the river, was enforced due to rising water levels.
In a social media update on Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reassured residents that the situation was under vigilant surveillance.
India grapples with severe floods during the monsoon season, spanning from June to September, with officials noting a marked escalation in rainfall intensity this year.
States like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and parts of Indian-administered Kashmir have also borne the brunt of torrential rains.
At least 29 fatalities have been recorded in Punjab due to flooding, with more rain forecasted for Tuesday.
Figures from Himachal Pradesh’s disaster management authority reveal that 310 individuals have perished in rain-related incidents, such as flash floods, landslides, and road mishaps, since June 2025.
Just last month, a tragic incident claimed the lives of 46 individuals in a village hosting Hindu pilgrims in Indian-administered Kashmir.
On August 5, nearly half of Dharali village in Uttarakhand was submerged following a devastating flash flood. — BBC
