Rain wreaks havoc in Panchkula

The record rain that lashed Panchkula on Thursday night caused landslides, waterlogging and damage to key roads in the district.

A major landslide disrupted traffic on the Panchkula-Morni road. The Industrial Park-Barwala road caved in. Authorities cleared the debris to restore normal traffic movement of traffic.

A section of the highway near the Jhuriwala dumping ground also caved in due to waterlogging.

Experts expressed concern that rainwater seeping through the garbage at the dumping site is contaminating the subsoil. They fear, it could pollute tubewell water used for drinking purpose across Panchkula. Residents have urged for immediate testing of water samples.

A large portion of the bridge on the Khatauli-Alipur road was washed away. A swollen tributary of the Ghaggar river caused extensive damage to road infrastructure, snapping connectivity of local areas with the Panchkula.

Meanwhile, images circulating on social media highlighted cracks near the newly built Ghaggar bridge connecting Peer Muchalla and Sector 26. Earlier also during the onset of monsoon this year, the same part of the bridge had suffered damage.

Engineers, however, told The Tribune that part of the embankment was washed away, not the bridge.

Severe waterlogging was also reported in Sector 15. Uprooted trees blocked the Sectors 11-14 road, leading to traffic chaos during the morning hours.

Meanwhile, teams of the Panchkula administration carried out repairs to restore road connectivity. However, experts warned that recurring soil erosion at the embankments points to a structural weakness, requiring long-term rectification measures.

17 schools closed

DC Monika Gupta has announced the closure of several schools in Morni, Raipur Rani and Barwala on Saturday as heavy rain left their premises waterlogged. Government Senior Secondary Schools in Barwala, and Parwala; primary schools in Marog, Khopar, Bijlag, Sahlon, Samlotha, Shilyon, Chaplana, Chhamla, Teepra, Runja Dakar, Slahon Redua, Mohri and Plasara; and middle schools in Singhwala as well as Prempura will remain closed.