New Chandigarh bears brunt of rain

Kritika Kanwar

Tribune News Service

Mohali, August 21

Two days after the Naggal Dam breach, which triggered flash floods in the area, residents of Omaxe in New Chandigarh rue that they had to face the brunt of the slush that entered the society premises from inundated villages nearby.

The 40-ft breach in the dam, which caused loss of property in Chhoti Naggal, Badi Naggal, Mirzapur, Parol and other villages, also posed a threat to the township. Residents were caught off guard as muck gushed onto the premises of the society, which lacks fortification, after uprooting trees and destroying paddy fields.

“Omaxe is at a great risk of rain-triggered floods as it is largely situated alongside a rivulet. Seasonal nullahs swell during monsoon, wreaking havoc in their vicinity. Since the township is quite close to villages on the Shivalik foothills, the chances of rain washing it away is quite high. For want of adequate drainage system, rainwater remains accumulated on the society premises for days after a downpour,” said Basant Kumar, general secretary of Omaxe Residents’ Welfare Association (ORWA).

“We were lucky that rain subsided and water receded,” added ORWA president PK Malhotra.

Anupam Sharma, facility incharge of Omaxe township, said, “We are well-equipped to deal with any such calamity. The velocity of rain two days ago was high. We immediately got the muck removed from the society premises. Now, the water has receded to a large extent and there is no threat to the society.”

Mohali Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan said, “I have directed officials to deal with any such exigency. Cops will be deployed in the areas where there are chances of bridge or pulley submerging in rainwater. We have also identified places where people can be relocated if situation turns grim again.”

Cave-ins on road to new PCA stadium

The 38.2 acre Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium, which is likely to host an international match next year, also presents a poor picture after rain. Located between Tira and Togan villages of New Chandigarh, its vicinity is submerged with rainwater. 

The road outside the stadium caved in at various points. “A rivulet near the stadium swells when it rains heavily. Water of the rivulet spills on to the road, posing difficulties for commuters,” said a resident of Togan village.