Phagwara waterlogged after heavy rain

A few hours of heavy rain early this morning turned Phagwara into a virtual waterlogged city, leaving several key areas submerged and residents struggling to commute through flooded streets. The downpour, which began before dawn, exposed the city’s inadequate drainage system as rainwater remained stagnant for hours, disrupting daily life and causing significant inconvenience.

Major localities, including Urban Estate, Prempura, Purana Dak Khana Road, Banga Road, Sarai Road, Gaushala Road, Khera Road, Hadiabad, Subhash Nagar, the area around the Civil Hospital, and Chadda Market, were inundated.

In several places, rainwater entered homes and shops, damaging goods and property. The absence of an effective drainage mechanism worsened the situation as water showed no sign of receding even hours after the rain had stopped.

Residents expressed frustration over what they described as the municipal corporation’s persistent negligence. Many alleged that despite repeated assurances and long-standing demands, the civic body has failed to clear blocked sewers and drains. Locals pointed out that most drainage channels have been choked for years, yet no serious effort has been made to restore them.

“The corporation only makes promises but nothing changes on the ground,” said a shopkeeper in the flooded Chadda Market. “Whenever it rains, we are the ones who suffer while officials simply conduct a formality visit and leave.”

The stagnant rainwater has also begun to deteriorate the condition of city roads, many of which were already in disrepair. Residents warned that if immediate maintenance and drainage work are not undertaken, commuting through these damaged and waterlogged roads will become even more difficult.

Citizens have urged the Phagwara Municipal Corporation to take swift and concrete action by clearing blocked sewer lines and reopening the city’s closed drains to prevent future flooding and safeguard both property and public safety.