By its very meaning pre-monsoon works should be carried out before the onset of monsoon. Pre-monsoon works include clearing of gutters, drains and pruning of trees besides other emergency work. However, in Vasco clearing of gutters is being carried out even when the South West monsoon is in full flow.
Perhaps the civic body follows the saying “Better late than never” in letter and in spirit. It may not be possible to carry out the work of drains when it is raining cats and dogs. Not clearing of drains before the onset of monsoon does leads to flooding of the roads as has been the case of the roads along the Swatantra path (see photo).
Flooding of roads leads to inconvenience to road-users and pedestrians. In low-lying areas the flooding can also lead to water entering the households. The civic authorities should complete the pre-monsoon works at least now as we can expect a long monsoon season ahead with heavy rains lashing the state in the next few months until the South West monsoon recedes.
