Rain brings back fear among residents staying along Buddha Nullah

Just a day after the city basked in a brief sunshine, heavy morning showers followed by continuous rainfall have reignited fear among residents staying along the Buddha Nullah.

With more rain predicted on Sunday, those staying in low-lying areas are bracing for the worst — haunted by the devastation they endured earlier this week. Residents have now turn to God, praying for mercy so that they do not have to face more hard days ahead.

Though civic body teams have been working to clear waste, stinch lingers inside homes in colonies such as Dhoka Mohalla, Dharampura, Shivaji Nagar and Kashmir Nagar.

Despite the water accumulating in small volumes, persistent puddles dotted streets of these low-lying areas, stirring unease among residents. Locals were seen mopping the streets with whatever tools they could find, their efforts reflecting frustration and resilience.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation teams are working, with cranes operating around the clock to remove heaps of garbage and sludge. The clean-up drive, though vigorous, faced the challenges of overwhelming waste and stagnant water, remnants of the recent downpour and the overflowing Buddha Nullah.

“Every monsoon, it’s the same situation,” said Ramesh Kumar of Dhoka Mohalla.

In areas such as Shivpuri and Kashmir Nagar, the stench of sewage mixed with slush made even stepping outside a health hazard. Yet, amid the muck, there was movement — of machines, people and hope.

Gita Devi from Dhoka Mohalla said she had been praying day and night for the rain to stop.

“It will prove havoc for us,” she said, recalling how toxic water from the Buddha Nullah had entered her home a few days ago.

Hardeep Singh, another local resident, said: “We feel ignored and left out in the city. By God’s grace, Ludhiana was spared from full-blown floods but the fury we’re going through is unimaginable. Politicians come during elections and forget us afterwards. What we faced in recent days was hell-like situation. The government must think about a permanent solution.”

Gurcharan Kaur, another resident, lights a holy jot inside her house every day, hoping to keep the disaster at bay. “We are only praying to the Almighty not to let us face such conditions again,” she said.

The psychological toll is visible in people of all age groups. A 14-year-old boy, worried about his exams, said he’s unable to attend online classes due to internet outages. “I’m lagging behind and there’s no way to catch up,” he said.

Rakesh, whose roof has begun to cave in, is struggling to feed his family and look after his ailing son.

“We barely manage two square meals. How are we going to survive another flood?” he asked while standing besides spoiled groceries and soaked bedding.

Most homes in these colonies are cramped, poorly ventilated and ill-equipped to withstand another spell of flood. Residents fear that if the nullah swells again, water will reenter their streets and homes, bringing back the chaos, contamination and the trauma.