68.8 mm rain leaves roads waterlogged
Manav Mander
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, August 11
Ludhiana today received 68.8 mm of rainfall that led to waterlogging in various parts of the city.
From old city areas such as Chaura Bazaar, Shivpuri, Madhopuri, Chander Nagar, Kundanpuri to posh localities like Sarabha Nagar, BRS Nagar, Ferozepur Road and Pakhowal Road, waterlogging was witnessed and commuters were seen having a tough time while navigating roads. Low-lying areas were inundated with rainwater.
Affected areas
From old city areas such as Chaura Bazaar, Shivpuri, Madhopuri, Chander Nagar, Kundanpuri to posh localities like Sarabha Nagar, BRS Nagar, Ferozepur Road and Pakhowal Road, waterlogging was witnessed and commuters were seen having a tough time while navigating roads. Low-lying areas were inundated with rainwater. A stretch near Khalsa College on the Ghumar Mandi road turned into a pool and two-wheelers submerged in water. Water from the Ganda Nullah entered Dhoka Mohalla and streets were filled with the dirty water.
The city got the Smart City tag but has failed to find any solution to the problem of waterlogging which residents face every monsoon.
Potholed roads and traffic jams added to the commuters’ woes. Some vehicles also developed snag due to water accumulation. Many commuters were seen stranded after their vehicles stopped in water that got accumulated on the South City underpass.
Commuters on Chandigarh Road were worst affected as roads turned into pools after today’s downpour. “The situation is the same every year. Though a storm water sewer has been installed, it has proved to be of no use. It becomes difficult to venture out during the rainy days due to waterlogging,” said a Sector 39 resident on Chandigarh Road.
Water also entered many shops and commercial establishments. A shopkeeper at Chaura Bazaar said water entered his shop and it would take at least a day for the same to recede. “We fear rain as it damages our stock and causes financial losses,” he said.
Geeta Rani, a resident of the Shivpuri area, said rainwater had entered their houses. “We have even constructed a small wall with bricks outside our house but still water enters it. Whenever any vehicle passes from outside the house, it pushes water and waste inside the house,” she said.
“BRS Nagar is considered one of the posh localities in the city but even it cannot escape waterlogging and potholed roads. “The C block in the colony is worst affected as roads get filled with water even after a light rain. It becomes difficult to commute in the area during rainy days,” said Sameeksha, a resident of BRS Nagar.
According to the Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, Punjab Agricultural University, the maximum temperature recorded today was 28.8°C while the minimum was 23.4°C. As per the department, the weather is expected to remain cloudy with possibility of heavy rainfall over Ludhiana and its adjoining areas in the next 24 hours.
The Municipal Corporation’s preparedness came to the fore as it was seen doing the job in the last minute after the heavy rain lashed the city. Cranes were seen removing wild shrubs from the Buddha Nullah to stop any blockage. In the Peeru Banda area, MC workers rushed to the spot with motors to clear blockage in drain pipes.
The stretch near Khalsa College on the Ghumar Mandi road turned into a pool and two-wheelers submerged in water. “Every year, the road gets flooded with water and it causes inconvenience to city residents,” said a resident of the Civil Lines.
Water from the Ganda Nullah entered Dhoka Mohalla and streets of the area were filled with dirty water of the drain. The water remained in streets for three-four hours after which it receded. Haibowal also witnessed a similar situation on Sunday.
