Monsoon impact reasoning: water levels in city tanks rose over a fortnight and trains were cancelled due to water-logging — classify whether these are effects of a common cause or direct cause–effect

Given data

• I: Water level in all city supply tanks increased during the last fortnight.
• II: Most trains were cancelled last week due to water-logging on tracks.

Concept/Approach

Heavy rainfall is the natural common cause: it raises reservoir levels and causes water-logging that disrupts railways.

Step-by-step reasoning1) Common cause: persistent heavy rains.2) Effect A: storage tanks fill (I).3) Effect B: tracks water-logged causing cancellations (II).

Verification/Alternative

I does not cause II (tanks filling does not water-log tracks) and II does not cause I.

Common pitfalls

• Forcing a direct link where separate downstream effects explain the situation better.

Final AnswerBoth the statements I and II are effects of some common cause.