Relentless rainfall paralyzed Mathura, causing widespread waterlogging and exposing civic lapses

NEW DELHI: Heavy rainfall lasting over two hours on Wednesday left Mathura submerged and brought the city to a standstill. Amid the chaos, a traffic policeman displayed exceptional courage and quick thinking to rescue a family trapped in a car beneath a flooded underpass.The vehicle had almost completely disappeared beneath the floodwater when chief reserve (traffic) Kuldeep Malik of Mathura police arrived at the scene.With water rising up to his neck, Malik didn’t hesitate. Wading into the deep, murky water, he managed to safely extract the two trapped passengers, preventing what could have been a tragic loss of life.In a post on ‘X’ UP police posted: “Water up to the neck, yet courage unwavering.” Malik’s swift response and calm under pressure have been widely praised as a shining example of public service. His actions reflect the finest spirit of #UPPCares.A video of the rescue has since gone viral, sparking both admiration for the officer and criticism of the city’s unpreparedness.”Rain exposes civic lapsesWhile the rescue drew applause, the flood also exposed serious lapses in the city’s drainage system and monsoon preparedness. Waterlogging was reported in several parts of Mathura, from main roads to residential colonies. Vehicles were stranded, traffic came to a halt, and daily life was disrupted for hours.Residents expressed anger at the municipal corporation’s failed sanitation campaign, claiming drains hadn’t been properly cleaned — leading to blockages and overflowing streets.