Look at US...: Nayab Saini cites California floods as Gurugram sinks after rain

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, reacting to the floods in Gurugram after heavy rain, ventured into unfamiliar territory, by citing the deluge in US's California and said one cannot do anything while facing nature. His remarks came as images of children swimming in the waterlogged streets of Gurugram flooded the internet with memes and ridicule — laying bare the Millennium City's infrastructural woes in the face of heavy downpours.

Taking a veiled jibe at US President Donald Trump, Saini said on Saturday, "Look at America — a country that calls itself powerful — even its city, California, gets flooded due to heavy rain."

The Chief Minister further said that it is not possible to take on nature, adding that heavy rainfall are bound to cause damage. "We need to understand that we can’t take on nature. If there is heavy rain, it’s going to cause damage," Saini said.

However, Saini admitted that there is a need to "improve the system" in the face of heavy rainfall.

"We are working swiftly. Gurugram is a developing city, and we are striving to bring it up to international standards," he further said.

Gurugram was inundated on Thursday following torrential rains that resulted in extensive waterlogging, creating a near-flood-like situation in the city. Normal life was disrupted as vehicles became trapped and commuters faced significant challenges.

On the service lane in Narsinghpur on NH 48, the water levels rose to almost three to four feet, while near Subhash Chowk, children were seen swimming in the waterlogged roads.

Heavy rainfall caused widespread disruption as reports emerged of vehicles being stuck on the old Gurugram-Delhi road, Hero Honda Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Sohna Road, Rajiv Chowk and several other areas.

- Ends

Inputs from PTI