Harshraj Singh
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, July 13
The three-hour rain exposed the civic body’s “arrangements” for monsoon once again, as major waterlogging was witnessed in many parts of the city on Friday morning.
The water entered the houses and shops in low-lying areas as the MC failed to take timely measures.
Commuters were seen struggling on heavily waterlogged roads after rain started around 7 am and continued till 10 am. According to experts at PAU, 45-mm rainfall was recorded on Friday.
The water accumulated at various locations at Damoria Bridge (underpass), Ferozepur Road, Pakhowal Road, Chandigarh Road, Tajpur Road, NH-1, Old GT Road, Hambran Road, Panj Peer Road, Link Road, Gill Road, railway underpass at Lodhi Club Road, College Road and other city roads. Besides, waterlogging hit many other areas, including Transport Nagar, Ghumar Mandi, Civil Lines, Sector-32, Samrala Chowk, Basti Jodhewal, Upkar Nagar, Sarabha Nagar, BRS Nagar, Dhandari, Prem Nagar and near the Clock Tower.
It is learnt that the water entered shops and houses in Talab Bazar, New Kundan Puri, Kishor Road, Maleri Gali, Kartaram Gali, Roopa Mistri Gali, Vishnupuri, Gurunanak Pura and other old city areas. The water also entered the courtyard of DC’s residence near Rakh Bagh. Besides, waterlogging was witnessed near Mayor’s camp office and outside Nehru Rose Garden.
Residents blamed the civic body for ignoring the cleanliness of road gullies and sewers before the monsoon. The sewer system in various areas had choked during rain.
Vehicles stuck
Due to knee-deep water in different areas, many vehicles developed snag. Commuters were seen requesting others to help them in pushing their stuck vehicles near Damoria Bridge, Peeru Banda Road along Buddha Nullah and others.
Road cave-ins
A portion of a few roads caved in due to rain. A small crater reportedly appeared at Upkar Nagar and near Aarti Chowk.
Eight complaints at MC Flood Control Room
As many as eight complaints were received at the flood control room of the MC. The helpline number is 0161-2749120. An official said complaints about waterlogging poured in from Sector-32 Chandigarh Road, Basant Nagar near Shivpuri, Mayapuri, Punjabi Bagh Colony, I Block at Sarabha Nagar among other areas. The staff concerned was deployed to clear the accumulated water, he said.
