Rain in Patiala leads to waterlogging at many places

An early-morning rain for three hours on Wednesday laid bare the tall claims of the development authority, administration and the municipal corporation with several areas, including Police Lines, Bahawalpur Palace Road, Tripuri, Urban Estate, Mall Road, Old City area, Tawakkali Morh, Adalat Bazaar and Anand Nagar witnessing severe waterlogging.

The city received a record 85mm rainfall in the past 24 hours.

As per the met department, the monthly average rainfall- which is considered to be receding monsoon - in the district during September remains 111.7 mm. Rainfall recorded at Patiala station from June 1 to September 4 is 495.6mm, while the seasonal observed rainfall at Patiala station remains 542mm.

According to the met expert, previously on seven occasions Patiala has received heavy downpour in a single day during September. The weatherman has predicted that conditions would remain the same for three more days as partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers is expected.

Water entered houses in Tripuri and the government houses where many officers live, causing losses. In many areas, sewerage was choked leading to more problems.

“The administration’s inaction and lack of preparedness have once again been exposed,” said locals highlighting the need for effective drainage solutions.

The newly constructed roads of Phoolkian Enclave and the newly laid rainwater pipeline to help residents near Tripuri were submerged leading to flood-like situation. Many vehicles were damaged and had to be left on the roads.

The relentless rain exacerbated the city’s ongoing waterlogging issues, disrupted life.

The inundated roads and flooded streets starkly exposed the lack of preparedness of the municipal corporation and district administration in handling extreme weather events.

Locals pointed to the mismanagement of sewerage system as a key contributor to the flooding.