Pune: Heavy rains lashed the Gardenia Society at Somnathnagar - Wadgaon Sheri on Sunday (September 6) evening damaging the vehicles of several residents. Rainwater seeped into the society as the natural nullah (stream) here is blocked.

Sharad Adsul, President of the housing society said, "Despite repeated complaints about this, the elected representatives have not taken permanent measures in this place and the upcoming municipal elections will be boycotted."

The Gardenia Society has 175 flats. The society premises have at least three to four feet of waterlogged during the rainy season every year since the buildings were constructed. As the drainage water mixes with the rainwater, foul smell spreads everywhere. Water retention also causes mosquito breeding in the area.

As a result, many residents have to deal with various ailments. The residents of the society have warned that the Pune Municipal Corporation should take appropriate measures immediately, otherwise they will boycott the upcoming municipal elections.

Shanta Dhamdhere, a local resident said, "We all pay the property tax to Pune Municipal Corporation on time. Yet we do not get any help from the government or civic body. Political leaders only promise to work during the election period. Heavy rains yesterday caused water to seep into vehicles, causing damage to many."

Pune city on Sunday for the second consecutive day witnessed hot and humid conditions which led to heavy rain in the evening hours. The flash downpour was triggered due to convective clouds over the city resulting in 23.1 mm rainfall on Saturday and 11.3 mm rainfall on Sunday.

Maximum temperatures in the city have increased and are above normal for the past few days. The day temperature on September 6 was 34.7 degrees Celsius. The Indian Meteorological Department has forecasted thunderstorms with rains for Monday (September 7) and Tuesday (September 8) with day temperatures around 32 degrees Celsius.