71-mm rainfall washes away tall claims of MC’s preparedness for monsoon

Harshraj Singh
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, July 8

With 71-mm rainfall lashing the city today, waterlogging was witnessed in different parts exposing the tall claims of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) for monsoon preparedness.

Commuters faced a lot of inconvenience as some vehicles developed snag while passing through city roads inundated with rainwater.

Due to poor drainage, the Ludhiana-Chandigarh road was once again flooded at different points soon after the rainfall started in the wee hours today. Water accumulated near Police Colony Chowk, Jamalpur and other spots on the road and nearby areas.

Waterlogging was witnessed near Clock Tower, Dhandari, Jalandhar bypass, Southern bypass/underpass, at various points on the NH 44 (Ludhiana-Delhi Road), on Hambran Road, Ferozepur Road and Link Road and other areas in the city.

Rainwater accumulated outside the MC Zone C office and on Gill Road too. Besides, there were reports of waterlogging in old city areas, including Shivpuri, Madhopuri and other places.

Meanwhile, three complaints about waterlogging near Damoria Bridge, New Shivaji Nagar and Salem Tabri were received at the MC flood control room.

Ganda Nullah overflows near Damoria Bridge

Waste from the Ganda Nullah overflowed near Damoria Bridge. Also, there was waterlogging on a stretch near Damoria Bridge. It was difficult for commuters to pass through the flooded stretch. The civic body deployed its staff to drain out accumulated rainwater near the bridge.

Water level rises in Buddha Nullah

As rainfall lashed the city water level rose in Buddha Nullah. MC officials claimed that water was flowing without any obstruction in Buddha Nullah. Meanwhile, rainwater inundated low-lying stretch along Buddha Nullah, near Railway Bridge, in the Peeru Banda area. Many commuters were forced to return home, as they could not pass through the inundated stretch.

Debris create obstruction in drain

An old bridge slab over a drain at Dhoka Mohalla had broken a few days ago when a tractor-trailer passed over it, said Inder Aggarwal, a former councillor. Its debris was not removed from the drain by the MC, he added.

Senior Deputy Mayor Sham Sundar Malhotra along with officials visited the site in the morning today. After his visit, work was started to remove debris from the drain.

Waterlogging adds to residents’ woes

A resident on Chandigarh Road, Premjit Singh said, “We are suffering due to waterlogging on the Chandigarh road since today morning. The authorities have not made any efforts to prevent waterlogging. Rainwater has accumulated on the highway and in adjoining parks. We face a lot of inconvenience due to waterlogging on the Ludhiana-Chandigarh road every year.”

Former councillor Parminder Mehta said road gullies in various old city areas were choked. No efforts were made to properly clean nullah near Damoria Bridge, he added. Even damaged drainage pipes of Elevated Road were not repaired before rainy season, he said.

MC staff, officials on roads

Employees and officials of the civic body were seen roaming in streets to drain out accumulated rainwater. Sewer men cleaned road gullies and sewer chambers to drain out accumulated water from different streets. The MC superintending engineer, Rajinder Singh, said there were reports about waterlogging from several parts of the city, but the civic body staff took timely steps to drain water from the affected areas.

MC Commissioner checks sweeping

Municipal Commissioner Pardeep Kumar Sabharwal visited different areas of the city for checking of sweeping, cleanliness, garbage lifting, waste segregation and street lights. He inspected horticulture work. He also took opinion/feedback from residents of the city.

Weather to remain cloudy

According to PAU, the weather is expected to remain cloudy with possibility of isolated showers in Ludhiana and its adjoining areas during the next 24 hours.

Water enters some houses

Water entered some houses at the Janakpuri area in Ward No. 53 today. In videos gone viral on social media, some residents were seen draining water from their houses. Meanwhile, husband of ward councillor Pinky Bansal said, “The rainwater comes with pressure from the industrial area side and passes through Janakpuri.” He claimed that there was no problem of waterlogging in the Janakpuri area. He further claimed that some houses were located below road level in the area.

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