Heavy rain exposes crumbling drainage, Jalandhar MC claims

Phagwara witnessed a complete collapse of civic infrastructure on Thursday as heavy rain from midnight to afternoon submerged roads, choked drains, and brought traffic to a standstill.

The first major downpour of the season did not only flood low-lying areas, but also flooded the credibility of the Municipal Corporation’s claims that lakhs had been spent on cleaning drains and sewers ahead of the monsoon.

Waterlogging was reported across the city, from the residential and commercial hubs of Prempura and Urban Estate to residential pockets like Onkar Nagar, Hargobind Nagar, Khaira Road and Palahai Road. In several colonies, residents waded through knee-deep water inside their homes. Shopkeepers shut doors as rainwater seeped into their businesses. “We’ve heard the same promises every year. Nothing changes except the damage,” said Rishi, a trader whose shop was inundated.

The Civil Hospital premises turned into a lake, paralysing access to a key public health facility. The Sewa Kendra was surrounded by water, forcing visitors to abandon attempts to reach it. Traffic across major roads slowed to a crawl, with long queues adding to the chaos. For many, the journey to schools, offices, and hospitals became an ordeal lasting hours.

The MC dispatched teams to clear drains and announced an inspection led by Mayor Ram Pal Uppal and Commissioner Dr Akshita Gupta. The Commissioner directed de-choking of sewer lines and “long-term measures” for monsoon readiness. Yet, the timing of these actions — after the city was already submerged — raises questions about whether preventive planning was more rhetoric than reality. Entire official machinary was seen in search of alternative covered place to celebrate Independent Day on Friday in case rain continue

With the Meteorological Department forecasting more rain in the coming days, Phagwara residents are bracing for repeat episodes. The stormwater that flooded streets this week may subside, but the storm of public anger over chronic neglect and opaque spending on civic works shows no sign of receding.