Rainwater enters houses in Panchkula, goods damaged

The death of a three-year-old girl by falling into an open manhole besides the issue of waterlogging being reported from Sectors 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 19 among other areas of the city has angered residents.

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Residents of Sector 19 here today staged a protest over the rainwater that entered their houses on Friday evening and damaged goods. Residents said they had complained to the Municipal Corporation (MC) about the issue of stagnant water numerous times, but to no avail.

Residents said the area received moderate rainfall during the afternoon and evening on Friday, adding that the roads were submerged. The rainwater also entering their houses.

Omeshwar Sharma, a city resident, said people in his area had been facing the ordeal for long. “My house is on higher ground, but those houses which are near the railway line face the ordeal everytime the area receives heavy rainfall. Yesterday, the water started accumulating in the afternoon and continued till evening,” he added.

Pawan Kumar, another resident, said their houses were submerged in almost 4-ft water. He said, “Rainwater gets blocked on roads and enters houses. We shifted some of our belongings while others were damaged by water. Tormented by the civic body’s failure to ensure easy passage of rainwater, we held a protest today. We will also register our grievances with the MC.”

Ankur Gulati, another resident, said rainwater had entered their houses and did not recede till late in the evening. “While we have been facing the issue for long, the underpass constructed in our area has only aggravated our woes. The area sewer-lines get blocked due to which rain and sewer water enter our houses. This has been going on for many years. We have also contacted the MC Commissioner and the DC on the matter.”

As the water receded by late night, the residents decided to take out the protest on Saturday morning.

OP Sihag, a JJP leader said he along with other members of his party today submitted a memorandum to the civic body on the matter.

Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan said the situation had exposed rampant corruption among the MC ranks. He said the rainwater accumulated in the Industrial Area as its drainage system had failed.

Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal said he carried out a survey of the affected parts of the city. He also asked the officials to get the nullah near the Industrial Area cleaned without delay.