Ambala, Kurukshetra inundated due to heavy rains

Incessant rains in Ambala led to severe waterlogging in various localities, causing inconvenience to residents and commuters.

Several areas including Model Town, Prem Nagar, Clothes Market, Nadi Mohalla, Manmohan Nagar, Baldev Nagar, and various other sectors of Ambala City and Rambagh Road, Defence colony Punjabi Mohalla, Gandhi Market, colonies of Ambala Cantonment, Saha, Shahzadpur, and Barara witnessed waterlogging.

While rainwater entered several houses and shops, the overflowing drains and waterlogging caused inconvenience to the commuters. The residents were seen using buckets and installing pumps to drain out water from their houses and shops. Vehicles also got stuck in water.

The Ambala City residents expressed disappointment with the drainage facilities and said the rain had exposed the tall claims of the district administration of making arrangements to drain out rainwater smoothly.

Prakash Chand, a resident, said “Drainage is a major issue in Ambala. Every year the city residents witness waterlogging but the municipal corporation has not been able to provide any relief to them.”

Congress leader Rohit Jain said, “Lakhs of rupees are spent on cleaning drains and in the name of preparedness for rains but the results are evident in the form of waterlogging. There are 3-4 ft water in the residential colonies.”

In view of the heavy rains, the district administration has declared closure of all private and government schools, Anganwadi centres, college and sports stadiums till Wednesday.

Ambala Mayor Shailja Sachdeva said, “Despite all efforts made to ensure smooth flow of water in drains, the localities, have been witnessing waterlogging due to heavy rains. As soon as the rain stops, the water will start receding from Ambala City. All efforts are being made to drain out the water from residential areas.”

Several localities in Thanesar City, Ladwa, Babain, and Shahabad of Kurukshetra witnessed waterlogging due to rainfall. The residents were busy using buckets to save their belongings. A team of the SDRF also rescued nearly 25 persons from Dera Baazigar Colony in Shahabad who were stuck due to waterlogging after the water of the Markanda river and heavy rains hit the colony. So far, over 150 persons have been rescued from the colony and shifted to safer places.

Meanwhile in Yamunanagar, one man was killed and four people suffered injuries after the roof of their kutcha house collapsed in the Radaur area of the district.

The deceased was identified as Maan Singh (45), while his wife and three children suffered injuries. As per the information, the deceased used to work as a labourer. Around 7 am, the roof of the house collapsed and the family was trapped under the debris. The victims were rushed to a hospital, where Maan Singh was declared dead.