30-min rainfall inundates Dholewal, Sherpur chowk

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 21

Just 30-minute rainfall was enough to inundate several parts of the city on Saturday.

Waterlogging was witnessed at Dholewal Chowk, Sherpur Chowk, Giaspura Road and a few other areas. According to experts at PAU, 11.6-mm rainfall was recorded till 2:30 pm.

As the rain lashed the city, the choked sewer started overflowing near Sherpur Chowk. To drain out the rainwater, a manhole’s cover was partially opened at Giaspura Road. Road gullies are either unavailable or choked in the affected areas, sources said.

Dholewal area residents said they have been suffering due to waterlogging for the past many years, but the MCauthorities took no interest in finding out a permanent solution.

Sukhwinder Singh, a resident, said: “Waterlogging has become a chronic problem in Dholewal area. Whenever it rains heavily, rainwater accumulates on the main road as well as internal streets. Governments have changed, but nothing has changed here. I don’t know when such issues of our city will be addressed.”

Councillor from Ward No. 50, Swarandeep Singh said: “We have raised the issue of waterlogging at Dholewal many times. Several meetings with the officials concerned were also conducted, but to no avail. We had suggested that the rainwater be drained into the Ganda Nullah, but the permission was not granted. However, the storm sewer system in the area is functioning well.”

Meanwhile, traffic snarls were witnessed at Sherpur Chowk, due to waterlogging. The traffic was also moving at a snail’s pace at service lanes along the NH-1 after rain. Besides, traffic jams were witnessed at Jagraon Bridge and Lakkar Bridge as well.