Follow Us
Amit Bathla
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, July 20
A brief spell of rain came back to haunt residents on Saturday, who are yet to recover from the havoc caused by heavy downpour in the past few days.
Overcast conditions sparked fears with feelings of helplessness in the minds of the residents. Besides residents, senior administrative officials must be praying for a clear sky as they have been facing wrath on all fronts for the unresolved issue of waterlogging in the city. Their plans to bring civil amenities back in place could fail with fresh rains.
Low-lying areas such as Power House Road, Civil Lines and Parasram Nagar face the brunt of waterlogging during the rainy season. These areas saw the same fate today to a certain extent.
An MC official had confirmed that rain in the next few days would affect recovery from the heavy downpour in the past days. The 57-mm rain that lashed the city today made citizens think about its consequences as they do not have any confidence in the preparations made by the authorities for the monsoon season.
In addition to this, the weather forecasting that warned of more rains in the coming days has kept residents on their toes. Pictures of submerged houses in various residential colonies, including of senior officials, had hit the national headlines recently.
Congress and SAD-BJP leaders are blaming each other for the waterlogging problem in the city. At the grassroots level, residents have not got any respite. According to the Meteorological Department, the city may witness rain and thundershowers in the next seven days.
Balwinder, a resident of Veer Colony, said: “Rain has caused inconvenience to residents as there have been frequent power cuts. It also damaged our household items. I feel that pre-emptive measures could have avoided such conditions. But the Municipal Corporation and private firm Triveni didn’t take required steps.”
Another resident said: “The condition in which the city is in at present has exposed the poor quality of work done by the authorities to avoid waterlogging and its subsequent affects. We are helpless. We can only pray that it shouldn’t rain anymore in the city.”
Ramesh, a commuter, said: “I have been avoiding taking out my motorcycle for commuting to office. The condition of roads doesn’t allow me to do that. If the city receives more spell of rain in the upcoming days, the situation will become worse.”
More than 300 mm rain so far
Bathinda: In July, the city has received more than 300 mm rain. On July 2, the city received 29 mm rain, 23 mm on July 6, 1.8 mm on July 15, 178 mm on July 16 and 70 mm on July 17. According to the data provided by the Punjab Agricultural University's regional centre here, the maximum temperature was recorded at 35 degree Celsius and minimum temperature was recorded at 27.4 degree Celsius on Saturday. TNS
Rain has caused inconvenience to residents as there have been frequent power cuts. It also damaged our household items. I feel that pre-emptive measures could have avoided such conditions. But the Municipal Corporation and private firm Triveni didn’t take necessary steps. — Balwinder, resident of Veer Colony
I have been avoiding taking out my motorcycle for commuting to office. The condition of roads doesn’t allow me to do that. If the city receives more spell of rain in the upcoming days, the situation will become worse. — Ramesh, commuter
1
8