Toxic floodwaters from Buddha Nullah leave trail of destruction in Ludhiana

Following intense rainfall, toxic water from Buddha Nullah overflowed into multiple residential colonies, flooding homes, choking streets, and leaving behind a thick layer of chemical-laced sludge. The water has receded from inside houses, but the damage remains etched across roads, drains, and lives.

A grim scene has unfolded in colonies like Dhokka Mohalla, Dharampura, Shivaji Nagar, Kashmir Nagar, Maharaj Nagar, and Kundanpuri, where black water surged through narrow lanes, carrying untreated effluents from dyeing and other industries. The colonies turned into black rivers — chemical-laden, foul-smelling, and dangerous.

The worst suffering was borne by families who lost loved ones and were unable to reach the cremation ground at Gaushala Road. “Nearly 4-5 people died in the area. Their bodies lay at home for days because families couldn’t step out. They were cremated only yesterday and today as the water receded,” said a potter from the area.

Municipal teams are now attempting a clean-up, clearing drains and scraping sludge off the streets. However, the residue remains thick and hazardous. A green electrical cabinet stood half-submerged in Dhokka Mohalla, raising serious safety concerns.

Several shops remained shuttered, while others struggled to reopen amid the chaos. Locals gathered in silence, watching the black water swirl around their homes. Some tried to salvage belongings with buckets and mops, while others simply stood, stunned.

“My school and college certificates got wet and tore apart. I lost my hard work of years. Duplicate certificates won’t make up for the originals,” said Preeti, a resident of Dhokka Mohalla.

“Every time it rains heavily, this is what we face,” said Shammi Rani. “We recently got our daughter married. Expensive clothes and dry fruits were lying in the house — everything got damaged.”

Jaswinder Singh, who runs a cloth business, said his raw material worth Rs 5 lakh was destroyed. “Who will pay the price? We are living in hell-like conditions because of Buddha Nullah.”

MLA Ludhiana Central, Ashok Prashar, called it a natural disaster. He is leading the cleaning drive and arranging raw vegetables for affected families. He assured residents that the nullah will be covered and that the Deputy Commissioner will visit tomorrow. Compensation has been promised, but residents remain unconvinced.