Colonies, schools, offices, markets remain waterlogged in Ambala

Tribune News Service

Ambala, August 12

Several low-lying areas, residential colonies, schools, offices and markets continue to be waterlogged for the second consecutive day in Ambala City on Monday.

Heavy rain on Sunday had left the city inundated, which crippled normal life. The office-goers and school-going children had a tough time while the shopkeepers were seen waiting for the water to subside in the market.

The water was subsiding slowly from Shakti Nagar, Model Town, Dashmesh Colony, Clothes market, Shukalkund Road, Khanna Palace Road, Manav Chowk, Sectors 8-9, Jandli, court complex, DC office and other affected areas. The residents said the rain had exposed the tall claims of the municipal corporation as even hours after the rain stopped, the streets and roads were still waterlogged.

Minister of State and Ambala City MLA Aseem Goel visited the affected areas with the officials of the Ambala Municipal Corporation and directed them to expedite the process of pumping out the water.

Goel said, “Officials of the Public Health and Engineering Department have been directed to get a comprehensive plan prepared with the help of IIT-Roorkee to improve the drainage system of Ambala and find out a permanent solution for waterlogging. The department will also establish stormwater disposal system at Dashmesh Market, Inderpuri, and Jarout Road. It will help in draining out the rainwater in these areas. The tenders will be opened in a day or two.”

“The cities were designed to handle 50 mm rain in 24 hours, but nearly 230 mm rain has been reported in Ambala City in 24 hours, that led to waterlogging. The situation has improved and water is subsiding but still there is waterlogging in many areas. Water is being drained out with the help of 48 pumps in the city and the officials have been directed to remain in the field and get the water drained out,” he added. Meanwhile, Harmeet (25), a resident of Churiyala village, slipped into the overflowing Jodha rainwater drain at Dukheri village.

Ravi Rana, a resident of Dukheri, said, “The youth was crossing the bridge, we tried to stop him as the water was overflowing but he didn’t stop and slipped into the drain. He used to work as a daily wager. Divers have been deployed to trace the youth.” The overflowing of Markanda River has also left the farmers in the Mullana area worried as hundreds of acres were waterlogged.

Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA) Jasvinder Singh said, “There are no reports of any major loss from the agricultural fields so far but a survey is being conducted in Mullana, Barara, Saha, Ambala-II and Ambala-I to assess the situation. It will take a couple of days to prepare the final report.”

Will drain out water

The department will establish stormwater disposal system at Dashmesh Market, Inderpuri, and Jarout Road. It will help in draining out the rainwater in these areas. — Aseem Goel, Ambala City MLA