Ludhiana records 49 mm rain, commuters’ discomfort

A sharp spell of pre-monsoon rain lashed Ludhiana on Sunday, recording 49 mm of rainfall, offering a brief respite from the heat, but also laying bare the city’s chronic drainage issues. The day’s maximum temperature touched 34.9°C, while the minimum hovered at 29.1°C, adding to people’s discomfort as humidity level surged.

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Several parts of the city were left water-logged, with Gaushala Road submerged and the drain near Shingar Cinema overflowing, causing major inconvenience to both residents and commuters. “It’s not just water, it’s frustration that floods our streets every monsoon,” said a local shopkeeper, ankle-deep in muddy water.

Despite repeated assurances from the municipal corporation about pre-monsoon desilting and preparedness, today’s downpour once again exposed the tall claims. Traffic crawled through inundated roads, and many low-lying areas, with commuters facing a difficult time.

Wading through ankle-deep water on Gaushala Road, Suresh Kumar, a 62-year-old retired schoolteacher, described the experience as both chaotic and disheartening. “I stepped out to buy medicines for my wife, but I couldn’t even see where the footpath ended and the road began. It’s not just an inconvenience anymore, it’s a crisis,” he said.

Not everyone was disheartened by the downpour. For 28-year-old Aarti Verma, a freelance graphic designer from Civil Lines, the rain brought a welcome break from the scorching heat and a chance to slow down. “It felt like the city finally exhaled,” she said while sipping tea on her balcony as grey clouds rolled in. While many parts of the city grappled with water-logging, Aarti chose to embrace the moment.

Looking ahead, the Meteorological Department forecast says mostly cloudy skies for Monday, with a chance of rain during the day and light showers expected at night.