PUNE, July 6: Heavy rainfall that began overnight brought daily life in Pune to a standstill on Monday morning, leaving office-goers and gig workers struggling to navigate waterlogged roads, traffic congestion and disrupted public transport.
Many employees heading to work faced long delays as vehicles moved slowly through flooded stretches and traffic snarls across the city. While some commuters opted for alternative routes, others were forced to walk in the rain to reach their workplaces.
The downpour also posed significant challenges for gig workers, including food delivery executives and online service providers. Despite the adverse weather, many continued to make deliveries, navigating flooded roads and traffic congestion while trying to meet delivery deadlines.
"Whether it's rain or sunshine, we have to deliver orders on time. Several roads were flooded today, forcing us to drive slowly and causing delays. Customers should also be patient during such conditions. Every delivery involves taking a risk," said Rohit Shinde, a delivery partner.
Several workers said they were under constant pressure to deliver orders on time while also worrying about their own safety. They noted that delays caused by rain can negatively impact both their earnings and customer ratings.
Many office-goers said they had no option but to travel to work because their employers did not offer work-from-home facilities. For gig workers, meanwhile, rainy days often mean greater risks rather than an opportunity to pause work.
"I left home earlier than usual because of the rain, but it still took me almost twice as long to reach the office due to traffic and waterlogging. Even footpaths were submerged in many places, causing major inconvenience," said Amol Patil, an office employee.
The heavy rains prompted several private companies to allow employees to work from home, particularly in the IT sector, where online work arrangements are more feasible.
Many companies prioritised employee safety and continued operations remotely, helping staff avoid traffic congestion, waterlogging and lengthy commutes. As a result, office work in the IT sector remained largely unaffected.
However, employees in manufacturing, retail, banking, services and other sectors that require physical presence had no such option and were forced to commute despite the difficult weather conditions.
